God's Word for Today: October 2014

Many of us have heard the following phrase: "Keep your eyes on Jesus." Do we really know what it means? How do we keep our eyes on Jesus if we can't physically see Him?

We have an example to follow. Jesus Christ is our example by His life, death, and resurrection. We are to walk in His ways. We are to live to please God.

First, we need to recognize the difference between living in the Spirit and living in the flesh. “That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature [who] are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:8). Our sin nature abides within our flesh. When we are saved, The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. Then our life can be different. “You are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)” (Romans 8:9)

So, how do we keep our eyes on Jesus? We do so by daily crucifying our flesh and living in the Spirit. When we die to sin, we can be resurrected to a new life in the Spirit through obedience to God.

How else do we keep our eyes on Jesus? By reading His Word, the Holy Bible, daily, mediating on it both day and night, and obeying it. (Joshua 1:8). It is equally important every day to: “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Is there more to keeping our eyes on Jesus? Yes! Of course! See Deuteronomy, Matthew, Mark, and Luke in the Bible for how important it is to always love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. In the New Testament of the Holy Bible, we also learn that it is equally important to love our neighbor as we love our self.

We also need to daily obey God by seeking Him to fulfill His purpose for our life. We may need to pause to forgive others and ourselves (when we slip up). Our focus should be to “seek those things above” (the eternal). (Colossians 3:1)

In keeping our eyes on Jesus, and living by His example, we will glorify God and His peace will rule our hearts (see below).

“... [Jesus] Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us [who are saved]. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” (Colossians 3:11-15)

Most importantly of all, it is by faith that we can keep our eyes on Jesus and believe that He is the Savior of the world. He is our Savior because we have believed, repented, and accepted Him into our hearts through faith.

“It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the One who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:27 — my emphasis in bold)

“... I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people, then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.” (Hebrews 12:1-4 — my emphasis in bold)

God's Word for Today

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus