Focused!

Focused!

looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 KJV

The Inspiration:

 The year is just a few weeks old, and a lot seems to have happened and a lot is still happening at the moment. It has been a mixed bag of the good and maybe the 'not -so good' too. In all of the experiences that God may have brought your way this year already, at least, one thing is clear: there is nothing you could have done to change the plan of God for your life. You may not know the full picture right now, but even the 'not-so-good' experiences have been formed by God to work out His perfect will for you. Nothing catches him by surprise because He is the master of the universe. Long before this earth was formed as we see it now, God has been in charge of all of the universe, and long after the earth as we see it now will be destroyed and replaced with a new one, God will continue to be God. This fact or truth lies at the heart of the matter before us today. 

The Contention:

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the source of all that God has made available for our use on the earth, as well as the One we will have to deal with at the end of our tenancy on earth. For all who have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, you know quite clearly that we would not claim faith in God outside of Jesus. He is the One who draws us close to God; His blood makes it possible for a Holy God to look at mortal, weak and sinful man and to show him mercy. In and by Him, we continue to live right by God's standard, and we live to please Him on a daily basis. His life secures our life; by His life, we also have access to life that has no end. These benefits are not to be taken for granted, because we know what it took for Jesus to secure them for us. He gave his life so I could have life. That example is the standard to follow. Indeed, I have the perfect example of focus to emulate. 

The Conclusion:

Jesus knew the benefits that would accrue from the sacrifice he made, but he also knew the pain and suffering that lay on the path He had chosen. The joy ahead made him endure the pain of the moment. The eternal benefits we stood to gain made Jesus endure the shame of being treated like a common criminal, with the death preserved for the worst criminals. By Jewish law, it was a curse to be crucified on a tree. Imagine the burden he bore because of me, but then also imagine how many lives have now come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. Imagine the generations that now owe their earthly impact and heavenly reality to the cross. How's my own focus today? Can I say it is solely on Jesus, or are there other 'viable' alternatives? Remember, Jesus is the perfect example. He's done all that is required; would I surrender my life to Him, so He can make use of me as He pleases? God's time of favour is here.