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OUR SPIRITUAL FOCUS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31
Philippians 3:12-14

Psalm 112

 

“…this one thing I do…”

 

OUR SPIRITUAL FOCUS
 
A person who is ambitious will do all he can to achieve his goal. He has no qualms about working long hours, making great sacrifices, and pushing himself to his limits, if that is what it takes. He has a single-minded dedication and will fully apply himself to do the things he knows he needs to do in order to get what he wants. That is what people of the world would do in fulfilling their earthly ambitions.
 
For believers, we have a far higher calling. We have been saved out of the bondage of sin and called to live for the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s desire for us is that we live a life for His glory and be a witness for Him. That was Paul’s goal, and that granted him the drive to direct his attention towards achieving that end.
 
Paul described how he was so intensely set to achieve his spiritual goals. It is “this one thing I do.” In the original, there is no verb “do.” Paul simply wrote “but one thing.” This emphasised his focus and determination, that this was his single priority in this life. As he thought of his identity as one “apprehended of Christ Jesus,” and how he had not yet achieved the goal that Christ had set for him, it was the one thing on his mind, and the one thing that he would focus his efforts on.
 
Like an athlete, he ran with this single-minded focus. He was very mindful that he had not reached his goals yet, and therefore pushed himself to keep on going and never stop. All through the rest of his life he would keep up this ambition and did all he could to grow in his sanctification. He was not distracted by the carnal things of this world. He had one single purpose, and that was what he was most concerned about. The pleasures and luxuries of the world held little attraction for him, for he was now in Christ, and all he wanted to do was to focus on serving Him.
 
What is the focus of your life? There are so many things around us clamouring for our attention. If we do not set our priorities right, it is easy to be distracted by the cares of this world. We must fix our hearts on Christ and focus on living for Him each day.
 
THOUGHT: What are the things that move my focus away from Christ?

PRAYER: May I fix my heart upon Thee and live each day for Thee.

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