FOCUSED ON JESUS

FOCUSED ON JESUS

Heb. 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.  NLT

      In verse 1 we are admonished to get rid of everything that hinders us from growing into maturity of faith. We are slowed down to the point where there is scarcely any movement at all sometimes by all the baggage we carry around. In our verse for today, we are told how we can best free ourselves up so that we can grow up. We do it by fixing our eyes on Jesus. As long as we keep our eyes fixed on Him, we will find our way to Him.

      Notice that our spiritual walk begins and ends with Jesus. We have no relationship with God apart from Jesus. He is the one who made it possible for man to be accepted by God as His own. Jesus is the author of our salvation. He is the one in whom salvation originates. Before the world was ever created, it was determined by God that Jesus would die for our sins on the cross. He is the one who came from heaven to carry out God's salvation plan. He is the one who did away with the blood sacrifices of the Old Testament by the shedding of His own blood. It was Jesus alone who broke the chains of death that had bound humanity because of their sin.

     Jesus is the one who will see our salvation through to the end. It is in Christ that we are able to have fellowship with God. It is in Him that we are able to live in victory over sin. It is Jesus who holds the keys to heaven. God will allow us to be a part of heaven only if we have a personal relationship with Jesus. It is on the merit of Christ alone that we will make it home. He will see us home to heaven if we continue to live in relationship with Him.

      Notice that faith depends on Jesus, not us.  There is nothing that we can do to make or keep us right with God.  We depend on what Christ has done for us, forgiving us for our sins and making us righteous and holy before God.  No matter how hard we try to be good, it won’t work.  It is Christ who makes us acceptable to God.

      Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Don't let the world around you distract you, blind you, or lead you astray. Understand how the world is affecting your soul. Get rid of all that is diminishing Jesus in importance in your life. Focus on Him alone for He alone is the beginning and end of your salvation. He alone can make and keep you holy before God. Live in Christ as if your life depends on it, because it does.