Christ In Focus

(Hebrews 12:2)
By: Keith McNeely

             Focusing on Christ is always good advice and will certainly yield benefits in our lives. Jesus spoke of individuals in His day stating that He spoke in parables “because they seeing see not” and “their eyes they have closed” (Matthew 13:15). He further advised that the cure would be for them to see, hear, and understand Him and He would “heal them”. Consider how we can see Christ in clear focus.

            By looking at Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). In the New Testament the book of Hebrews targets individuals that have once known Christ and are on the verge of leaving Him. The author advises them to be “Looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2). Think about the last time you encountered a problem in life; did you look “unto Jesus”?  “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). The word “advocate” in this passage carries the idea of someone that can be called to our aid, or that will plead our case. John here teaches us that Jesus is with the Father in heaven pleading our case, thus, the next time trouble comes, look “unto Jesus”.

            By listening to Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). Our verse continues by saying that Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith”. Paul would write that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Thus, for us to have faith we must listen to Jesus. By contrast we often turn to every other available advisor rather than seeking a Bible answer to our current situation.

            By living for Jesus (Hebrews 11:26). Old Testament history records that Moses was a powerful force in Egypt having been raised in Pharaoh’s house; yet, he esteemed “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt” (Hebrews 11:26).  While Moses surely did not know all of the details of the coming Savior, he obviously chose God and godliness rather than the pagan lifestyle of Egypt. We can have good direction, meaning, and purpose in our lives when we likewise live for Jesus. Endeavor to keep “Christ In Focus”.

Christianity

A Personal Religion

             Do we sometimes look at the crowd and never see the individual? Isn’t it a bit like looking at the forest and never seeing the trees? Is this the way God looks at us? Does He look at us as a group – or as an individual? Hmmm, I think I know, how about you?

            One of the great readings in the Bible is the 23^rd Psalm. The Psalmist knew that God loved him. Note the personal pronouns used by David: “I” = 3 times… “Me”=7 times… “Mine”= 1 time…. “My” = 2 times. So it is with Christianity – it is a personal religion. God looks on us as individuals. The Bible says that the very hairs of your head are numbered – Matthew 10:30!! The inspired writer declared, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight; but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13). God knows and cares for each of us individually – 1 Peter 5:7. TAKE NOTE:

·         WE ARE PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR SINS. One person cannot blame another person for his sins. Adam tried blaming his sin on Eve. Eve tried blaming her sins on the serpent – Genesis 3. But it won’t work. We do not inherit someone else’s sins – nor do we pass our sins onto someone else. Ezekiel 18:20. “The soul that sinneth it shall die…” We all sin and fall short of the glory of God – Romans 6:23.

·         GOD HAS A PERSONAL INTERST IN US. He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us – John 3:16. Paul makes the passionate statement, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8. Substitute YOUR NAME for US in that scripture. He died for the individual – for YOU – for ME. God definitely has a PERSONAL INTERST in each of us.

·         JESUS IS OUR PERSONAL SAVIOR. Note how much time He spent with INDIVIDUALS during His lifetime here on this earth. Remember the woman at the well in John, chapter 4? How about Zachaeus in Luke 19? And there is that man called Legion in Luke, chapter 8. He said that He came to seek and to save the lost – Luke 19:10. He died for each of us – 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

            Yes, our relationship with Jesus is a personal one. So that means we have a PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY – a PERSONAL COMMITMENT. Have YOU made a personal commitment to Christ? Read Romans 12:1-2 carefully. A “living sacrifice” – “be not conformed to this world” – “be transformed by renewing your mind” – “prove what the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” What a blessing – but what a challenge!!!

Situation Ethics

            In this day and age we hear, from time to time, the expression, “Situation Ethics.” Perhaps some have wondered about what this means and whether or not it is an acceptable ethical standard. Let us examine this briefly.

            Situation Ethics presents love as being the standard to determine whether, in any given situation, an action is right or wrong. An action is said to be right to the extent that it serves love in the particular situation where the action takes place. Love, therefore, replaces law, vetoes truth and is determined by the situation. For example, prostitution, murder, etc. would be justifiable if the situation surrounding such contributed to love. (One might ask, “A love for whom and for what?”) It is the philosophy of “Situation Ethics” which is at the root of euthanasia and abortion.

            Some attempt to justify “Situation Ethics” from the scriptures by quoting and misusing the account of Jesus’ disciples plucking ears of corn on the Sabbath Day, as recorded by Matthew in Chapter 12. The reasoning that is used is this. Jesus, being Lord of the Sabbath, broke the Mosaic Law out of love for His disciples, thus permitting them to pluck the ears of corn on the Sabbath Day. They contend that David also broke the law out of love for his companions, unlawfulness condoned by Jesus, in order to justify the conduct of His disciples. However, an analysis of the passage will prove this to be a spurious interpretation.

            First, the conduct of the disciples was LAWFUL. They had plucked and ate grain, conduct that was neither immoral nor unlawful (Deuteronomy 23:25). They had only violated the traditions of the Pharisees. Jesus, whose works (John 5:36), teaching (John 7:16), and commands (John 12:48-50) were of the Father, termed His disciples “guiltless.” They were “guiltless” because they had NOT violated the law, not because Jesus has overridden the Law (Matthew 12:1-8).

            Further, Jesus did not condone the actions of David and his followers; rather, He termed it UNLAWFUL (Matthew 12:4) and used the incident to uncover the prejudicial hearts of the Pharisees. If the Pharisees had been so concerned about that which was unlawful, why had they not emphasized the flagrant disobedience of David?

            That which is right is always right and that which is wrong is always wrong. Contrary to Situation Ethics, love is governed by and never replaces law.

            Matthew 12:1-8 offers no support to the purveyors of Situation Ethics but rather refutes them.

--Ken Chumbley