With so many evangelical voices today, it can become quite confusing in determining how God intends me to respond. We have (and deeply need) ministries that zero in on families, prayer, singles, prisons, the unsaved, discipleship, and so forth. Each one is indeed both Biblical and necessary. However, I wonder if all of this is sometimes an unintended distraction within the Body of Christ.
I find in my own life that it’s so easy to hop on the current evangelical bandwagon, or dive into a particular area of Scripture such as prophecy, holiness, etc., and just stay fixed on that area for a while. Though not a bad wind, Christians can be distracted by too many winds of doctrine or eschatology. With so many applications today, one often finds it difficult to find out where he or she should start.
May I suggest to you today a solution? Focus on Jesus. Read in the gospels how our Lord lived . These are first-hand documents, preserved by the Holy Spirit give us clear, visible instruction. After all, Jesus said to both learn of Me and follow Me. I believe that is the key.
Perhaps we’ve focused on departments of Christianity too much. Perhaps we’ve focused on ministry and not character. Matthew :- gives us the character of Christ. Cor :-a describes the love of Christ. May we focus on Christ-like character. As we focus on Jesus, the fruit and ministry that He desires are sure to follow.
Meditate on the following:
Luke 9:23: Then He said to them all, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’
Hebrews 12:1-3: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Matthew 11:28-30: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
