In a world filled with trials, temptations, distractions and deceptions, Christians must nevertheless remain focused and maintain a right course. Especially if we live and work around sincere and well-meaning non-Christians, it can sometimes be easy to forget that the god of this world deliberately sets dangerous traps to deceive and destroy the unwary (2 Corinthians 2:11; 4:4; Ephesians 6:11–13; 1 Peter 5:8–9). Yet the Bible is filled with warnings about the consequences of losing our focus, and gives instructions for staying on course— if we have eyes to see and ears to hear!
Warnings and Advice
There is an old saying that those who do not learn the lessons of history will repeat the mistakes of history. The Bible records many examples of this fundamental truth. Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden because their focus was diverted away from God’s instructions. They listened to Satan and his subtly twisted half-truths, and followed their own human reasoning (Genesis 3). The ancient nation of Israel went into captivity because it followed misguided leaders and focused on pagan ways of worship instead of following God’s commandments (1 Kings 12:25–33; 14:15–16). David got into trouble, and Solomon’s heir lost the tentribed House of Israel, because they began to focus on the physical creation, instead of obeying their Creator and His instructions (2 Samuel 11; 12; 1 Kings 11:1–11). Scripture has recorded these examples for the admonition of Christians who live at the end of the age (1 Corinthians 10:11).
One of the major ways that Satan can pull us off course is by appealing to our intellect and our own reasoning abilities. When our focus drifts away from the word of God, we gravitate toward ideas that seem reasonable to us, and that justify what we want to do. Yet the Bible warns repeatedly that "there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). Unless we stay focused on God’s instructions, and heed His warning that human reasoning can lead us astray (Jeremiah 17:9), we will deceive ourselves and reap serious consequences. However, we are told that when the eye is single [focused in one direction on one main goal], the whole body is full of light (Matthew 6:22, KJV). Staying focused in the right direction—and on the right goals—can help us avoid making big mistakes!
The parable of the sower is particularly applicable to the subject of staying focused (Matthew 13:18–23). In the parable, Jesus describes four categories of people. The first category consists of people who hear the Truth and are immediately distracted by Satan, never gaining the right focus. People in the second category accept the Truth with enthusiasm, yet because they do not take time to carefully prove what they believe, they are blown off course and stumble "when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word" (13:21). Such trials could include doctrinal controversies within the Church, ridicule or discrimination from outside the Church, or succumbing to the appeal of misguided leaders. Those in the third group become preoccupied with worldly concerns (self, family, job and health), the pursuit of money and material possessions and the attraction of worldly pleasures (acceptance, prestige, hobbies, entertainment—having fun) that divert their focus from the Truth of God. Only one of the four groups remains focused on the right goal; the rest lose their focus and drift off in other directions. In light of these strong warnings, we need to consider seven vital keys that will help us maintain a right focus.
The Word of God
Our modern, fast-paced world of today is riddled with confusion about God, the Bible, truth, the true Church and the purpose of life. The Roman ruler Pilate ridiculed the idea of truth (John 18:38). We hear similar skeptical comments today. Yet Jesus said that the knowledge of the truth can set us free from the confusion of this world (John 8:32). The Bible asserts that God’s word, His laws and His commandments are truth (Psalm 119:142, 151, 160). Scripture contains the absolute truth (John 17:17). That is why it is important to study the Bible—so we know what God has revealed in His word (2 Timothy 2:15). We must carefully evaluate ideas before accepting them, prove what is right and hold on to what we prove, or we will lose our focus and our direction (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Only from the Bible do we learn the truth about God and His plan of salvation, the right way to worship God, the right doctrines to teach and believe, the true purpose of life, the right way to live, the right goals to focus on and what to avoid in this world. This is why it is so important to know what the Bible really says. The Bible provides a standard against which everything else can be measured. Sadly, today, human opinions (our own or somebody else’s) often carry more weight than the truth God has revealed in the Bible. We cannot afford to be ignorant of the real source of truth, or let other interests interfere with regular study of God’s word. If we do, we will eventually lose our focus and wander off course.
True God and Real Jesus
The God of the Bible is a God of mercy and of justice (Psalm 101:1), who created human beings to give them the opportunity to choose between the right way He has revealed and the wrong and deceitful ways that Satan promotes (Deuteronomy 30:11–20). The God of Scripture revealed wondrous things in His law to His chosen people, so they could be examples to the world and a blessing to mankind (see Deuteronomy 4:1–14; Psalm 119:18; Hosea 8:12). The real God promises blessings for obedience to His laws, and punishments for disobedience (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). He specifically warns us not to add to or delete from His word—which includes not manufacturing unbiblical religious practices or coming up with our own false religious ideas (see Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18–19)—and not to borrow ideas from pagan religions (Deuteronomy 12:29–32). The God of the Bible does not change (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), yet many who claim to believe in Him today actually reject that one true God. In place of the biblical God, many have created a god with whom they are more comfortable—a less threatening, much less demanding, permissive parent who has no required rules to follow and practices no specific form of government. This man-made and imaginary god is supposedly happy with people who worship him in any manner they choose, even if their worship includes practices taken from paganism. Like the ancient Israelites, many who today call themselves Christian have forgotten the true God, and have adopted perverted ways (Jeremiah 3:21; 2 Timothy 3:5). If we want to stay focused in a mixed-up world, we must remember what the Bible reveals about the true God.
The real Jesus warned that many would come in His name (claiming to be His followers) and would deceive many (Matthew 24:5). Paul warned of teachers preaching about "another Jesus" who bears no resemblance to the biblical Savior (2 Corinthians 11:3–4). The common longhaired and effeminate image of Christ, worshiped today by millions, contrasts sharply with the Bible’s clear admonition for men not to wear long hair (1 Corinthians 11:14). The image of a soft and weak Jesus does not fit the young carpenter who overturned tables, sent animals and money changers scurrying out of the temple, and told priests and misguided believers that they were hypocrites and "sons of the devil" because they were teaching and acting contrary to the laws of God (Matthew 21:12–13; 23:13–17; John 8:42–44). The biblical Jesus observed the Sabbath (Luke 4:16) and the Holy Days (John 7), as did the apostles He trained (Acts 17:2; 18:4, 21; 1 Corinthians 5:8). He taught plainly: "But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17). For the Christ of the Bible, the laws of God were not burdens or outdated relics of an old covenant! Scripture states that Jesus Christ does not change (Hebrews 13:8). Like His Father, He is also concerned with mercy (Titus 3:4–5) and justice (Isaiah 9:6–7). He will soon return to this earth to establish His kingdom, reward the saints and destroy those who have corrupted the earth (Revelation 11:17–18). The return of the real Jesus will shock the world! The biblical Jesus is a striking contrast to the Jesus worshiped in most churches today! Sincere Christians cannot afford to lose their focus by accepting the "different" Jesus that has been pawned off on an unsuspecting world for centuries!
The True Gospel
The true gospel message that Jesus Christ proclaimed will surprise many professing Christians who have lost their focus. The world generally assumes that Jesus came with a gentle message about love, grace and salvation for all who give their heart to the Lord and who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Yet the Bible reveals that even demons believe that Jesus is the Son of God (see Mark 5:1–8; James 2:19). Jesus, by contrast, commissioned His disciples to preach the true gospel, emphasizing the reality of the coming Kingdom of God (Matthew 9:35; 10:6–7). This was the gospel Christ preached before His crucifixion. Jesus emphasized that to be in God’s kingdom, one must repent of sin and must keep the commandments of God (Mark 1:15; John 14:15).
After His resurrection, Jesus added a further dimension to the gospel message. He told the disciples that they were to be witnesses to the world that His suffering, death and resurrection were necessary for the forgiveness of sin (Luke 24:44–49). Yet even after His resurrection, Jesus continued to focus on the Kingdom of God, as did His disciples (Acts 1:3, 6). The apostolic Church understood and taught about both the coming Kingdom of God and the things concerning Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12; 28:23, 31). Sadly, the "mainstream Christian" world has lost sight of the gospel of the kingdom, and has mistakenly focused only on the life and person of Jesus Christ. Many churches have missed half of the gospel message because they have followed misguided leaders who have lost the proper focus.
Today, many professing Christians do not realize that they have been taught a "different gospel" about which Paul repeatedly warned in his epistles (2 Corinthians 11:1–4; Galatians 1:6–9). This becomes obvious when we read the gospels and notice the true gospel Jesus preached (Mark 1:14–15; Luke 4:43; 8:1).
The True Church
Many in the world think of "the church" as a building. For others, the church is vaguely seen as a collection of people who "believe in" God and Jesus. Supposedly, millions—even billions—of people belong to this "mystical body" of Christ. Yet when we focus on what the Bible reveals about the Church, we find something quite different. Jesus said that the Church He established would continue to exist—as a real entity (Matthew 16:18). He said it would be a small, scattered and persecuted group of people (Luke 12:32; John 15:20; 16:32). Jesus said that true Christians are "not of the world" (John 17:16), but are commanded to come out of the world and be separate (2 Corinthians 6:17). Christ also said: "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets" (Luke 6:26). Jesus was cautioning against seeking acceptance and praise from the religious establishment. Yet for many today who have lost their focus, seeking acceptance by mainstream Christianity is a major goal—even though many mainstream beliefs originated in pagan religious practices condemned in Scripture (Deuteronomy 12:29–32; Matthew 15:8–9).
The true Church founded by Jesus Christ and His apostles can be recognized—if we focus on what the Bible reveals. The Church has a biblical name, and the New Testament refers to that name—"Church of God" or "Churches of God"—a dozen times. The true Church does not foster "doctrinal diversity" but is composed of members "joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:10). The biblical Church of God has a hierarchical structure, through which leaders are appointed based on qualifications and the fruits of conversion in their lives; they are not elected by appeal to voters (Ephesians 4:11; Titus 1:5). The Church Jesus established kept the Sabbath and Holy Days, following His example (Luke 4:16; Acts 13:14, 44). However, just as Jeroboam changed the days of worship in ancient Israel and led the nation astray, professing Christian theologians have rejected God’s Sabbaths (Leviticus 23), adopted Sunday worship and instituted Christmas and Easter celebrations which originated in pagan antiquity (Ezekiel 20:28–32). As a result, countless millions have lost their focus, and most of the modern descendants of ancient Israel have lost their national identity (see Deuteronomy 32:16). The Bible reveals that God’s rebellious people will also lose His protection and their freedom because they have lost their focus. This will be a costly lesson.
The Church’s Mission
Today there are many different ideas about the mission of the Church. This is not surprising. A different gospel leads to a different mission. The true gospel provides the Church of God with a powerful vision and sense of mission. Many sincere people assume that the mission of the Church is to meet in little groups and talk about Jesus—the "stay-at-home" or "living room" church. It might also include telling others that "God loves you... Jesus died for you... just love Jesus and you will go to heaven." Yet Jesus commissioned His disciples to go "to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" and to all the world preaching the gospel of the coming Kingdom of God, healing, raising the dead and casting out demons (Matthew 10:1–8; Mark 16:14–20). Christ’s followers were to warn Israelite nations and the world to repent of sin before the coming of the Great Tribulation that will precede the return of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21). The disciples literally "turned the world upside down" with this message, even though they were persecuted by the religious establishment in both pagan and Jewish communities (Acts 17:6).
These disciples were not just preaching about a baby Jesus who loved everybody. They did not portray the Church as a mere spiritual hospital for lost souls. They were preaching about a real coming kingdom and the return of a powerful Christ who will shake the nations and restore the government of God to this earth (Revelation 11:15–19). Historian Edward Gibbon records that this attention-getting message of the coming kingdom of God was the "reigning sentiment of the orthodox believers" during the early centuries of the Church, but was gradually deemphasized and later considered heresy (The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, chap. 15). As members of the early Church lost their focus on the true gospel, they lost their true sense of mission, and the majority of professing Christians drifted away from both the Christian mission and Christian truth! Regrettably, this is occurring today to many who listen to misguided leaders who claim to be following Christ. Is this happening to you?
Our Personal Goal
Many sincere professing Christians believe that their personal role is merely to love God, love their neighbor and utter pleasant-sounding phrases like "Praise the Lord." However, if we focus on what the Bible reveals, we find very interesting advice. Jesus said: "Seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33). We are told to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18), and to develop the very mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5–11). This means learning to live by the commandments of God—in the spirit and the letter— as Christ did (John 14:15). We are told that God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32), and that He wants us to bear fruits of that Spirit (John 15:1–8; Galatians 5:22–26). Individuals who overcome the pulls of human nature and grow spiritually will be given the opportunity to rule with Christ on earth, and teach human beings the way to true peace, joy and happiness (Revelation 5:10; Isaiah 30:20–21)—which will involve learning to live by the laws of God (Isaiah 2:2–4). The true purpose of human life is to prepare to be in the Kingdom of God, where today’s true Christians will work with Jesus Christ to change the course of history. The common idea of going to heaven, sitting on a cloud and playing a harp for eternity is unfounded speculation by those who have lost their focus. If we lose our focus, we will lose our reward (Revelation 3:10–13)!
The Plan of God
Many assume that God is earnestly trying to save everyone now. This idea persists because the "mainstream Christian" world has lost sight of the plan of God. The real plan of God is pictured in the biblical Holy Days (Leviticus 23). The Passover reminds us that Jesus suffered and died so our sins can be forgiven. The Days of Unleavened Bread remind us that we must eliminate sinful thoughts and actions and begin to think and act like Jesus Christ. Pentecost reveals that God gives His Spirit to those who repent and obey His instructions, empowered by His Spirit to overcome sin (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:38; 5:32). The Bible explains that only those whom God calls will have an opportunity to understand the truth at this time (John 6:44–45), and that this number will be small (1 Corinthians 1:26–27). The truth of God is a mystery to those who are not called (Matthew 13:10–17; 1 Corinthians 2:6–16). However, such individuals—most of humanity—are not lost!
The fall Holy Days reveal that Christ will return (the Feast of Trumpets), put Satan out of commission (the Day of Atonement—Revelation 20:1–2), establish the Kingdom of God on this earth (with the resurrected saints—Revelation 20:4–6) and begin to reeducate those alive at that time (the Feast of Tabernacles). Those who died throughout the ages without hearing or understanding the Truth of God will come up in a second resurrection and have their opportunity for salvation (the Last Great Day—Revelation 20:5, 11–12). This is an encouraging message. Yet most professing Christians, just like the followers of other religions, have never heard this good news, because the religious leaders of this world have lost their focus and have no knowledge of the plan of God (Romans 1:18–25).
The challenge facing Christians today is to stay focused on the right priorities: the true God, the real Jesus, the word of God and the true Gospel. Christians must develop the knowledge and character that God can use, to accomplish the mission of His Church and bring to fruition His great plan. Scripture reveals that only a few of those called now will be chosen to receive a reward (Matthew 20:16). They will be chosen because they remain faithful to the truth they are given to understand (Revelation 17:14), and they will grow and produce the fruits that God is seeking in their lives (John 15:1–8). They will also endure through trials and persecution (Matthew 24:13) and finish the race (2 Timothy 4:1–8). The incredible rewards God promises to those He calls to become saints will only go to those who stay focused and endure to the end. Will that include you?