The rallying cry of the Church of God (Seventh Day) United States and Canada is “Focus on Jesus and follow His plan.” But what does it mean to focus on Jesus?
It means to fix our attention on His identity. He is our Creator (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). He is our Lord and Savior (Philippians 2:11; Luke 2:11) and the long-awaited Messiah (John 4:25, 26). He is the One to whom has been given “All authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18, NASB throughout). He is Immanuel, God with us (1:23). To focus on Jesus, we must remember who He is. When He says, “Love one another; just as I have loved you” (John 13:34), it’s not a suggestion; it’s a command.
To focus on Jesus, we must follow His example. Jesus came as a servant and as a sacrifice (Mark 10:45). He set aside His position and power for the sake of others (Philippians 2:3-8). He endured interruptions and resistance and betrayals. He faced every temptation any of us face, yet He did not sin in word or deed or thought or attitude (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus’ example is one of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22, 23). Anytime our words, deeds, thoughts, or attitudes are not marked by those attributes, we fail to focus on Jesus.
We must not look to anyone or anything else other than Jesus. If we fix our eyes on the world and the things of the world, we lose sight of Jesus. However, if we focus on commandment-keeping or on proving ourselves correct or others incorrect, we fail to keep our eyes where they need to be.
A steadfast focus on our Lord will lead us to being and doing everything He desires for us. A steadfast focus on anyone or anything else will lead us away from Him because we’re replacing Him. It’s worth asking ourselves, “On what are my thoughts and conversations and Bible studies really focused?”
I encourage you, focus on Jesus.
