Today’s Scripture: Matthew 8-11
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. – Ephesians 4:17
What do we do when our lives get out of focus and we’re no longer doing what God has called us to do? Too often, nothing! Sometimes the blurring occurs so gradually that we don’t even know we’re out of focus. All the more reason to keep our eyes on Jesus. You see, He was a very focused person, and He stuck with His mission.
Notice Jesus’ words in Matthew 9:12-13: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick… For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus healing, teaching, and preaching–all part of revealing His kingdom. And everything He did was focused on His goal of calling people to repent and believe.
Can you imagine everything Jesus could have talked to people about? After all, He was the eternal Son of God who knew everything about everything. He could have explained all the scientific wonders of the universe or warned against the various manmade philosophies that would arise over the years–how each of them would lead down a blind alley and leave the followers of those teachings confused and frustrated. But Jesus didn’t deal with any of those things. Instead, He focused on what people need most–the good news of salvation. Why? Because unless people hear and respond to the gospel, they are lost and going to a Christless grave.
There are hundreds of good activities you can be involved in as a Christian, but what is most important? What is worth giving your life to? Jesus’ primary objective was to help people walk in the light of God’s Word and experience the salvation He offered. Shouldn’t that be our focus, too?
Prayer
Lord, You are the way, the truth, and the life. Empower me each day, as I meet and talk with people, to point them in Your direction. Amen.
To Ponder
What goals are most important to you?
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