Focus

Focus by Pete Berardi

In the Bible Jesus is very clear about what our focus is supposed to be on. It is important to understand this because obedience to God will cause us to be in his will and ultimately be the person that he wants us to be. For the most part, Jesus commands us to focus on Him, and others. In Philippians 2:4, the Bible states: Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. The first five verses of Philippians are actually speaking to those that are prideful and greedy. This world is full of competitiveness when it comes to financial success, power and status. The world sees these things as the definition of success. The world also teaches us to fight for these things and make sacrifices for them because they are worthy. This is false and a trick from Satan himself. Satan would have you believe that wealth, power, material possessions, status will all make you happy. This false happiness is supposedly derived from having more than others. Therefore instead of helping others to be happy we might find ourselves actually sabotaging others. The Bible’s teachings are exactly opposite. In 1 John 2:15-16, The Bible states: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. We are actually supposed to be helping other people and esteeming them to be higher than ourselves states Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Focus on Jesus is very clear in the Bible as well. Although there are more verses than two, I will only mention these two

II Corinthians 5:15 states: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Jesus not only wants us to focus on him but to live for him. He died for our sins and his life should be Him. Jesus can provide us with the greatest peace and joy that is far better than what the things of this world can provide. By putting him first, and all his righteousness, God will give us what we are really looking for. The great lie of Satan is to tell you that true peace, joy and happiness comes from the things of this world. He does this to divert our attention from the truth. By making us work for things that he promises will fulfill us, we miss the point. Jesus is the only one that can fulfill us. By focusing on him, living for him, and putting him first, our lives will be full.