By Not Known
Let us start by reviewing last Sunday’s sermon which was about our calling. What was the one application point that God impressed upon your heart about our calling as his servants? What would you do about what you have heard?
Paul in chapter 2 highlights two key ideas for Christians: one, the display of Godly character in men, women, and servants (2:1-10). And two, the link between salvation and Godly conduct (2:11-15).
Many of us can attest to having too many things that we want to do in life, that keeping Christ first becomes almost impossible. Due to a lack of a Christ-focus, it is pretty easy to get caught up in the drama of work, school, relationships and family.
So Paul reminds us that it is important that we should never lose sight of our focus – 2:13 says to keep our eyes focused on Christ as he will return soon. We focus on the hope of his return. It is an essential part of us preparing – pursuing Christlikeness.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Paul concludes a lesson on Christ’s coming with these words: “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” This passage like most others that talk about the return of Christ, is presented as a great motivation to Christian action. The apostle Paul understood that to mean focusing on Christ while living life to the fullest for him. However, focusing on Christ is not an easy thing for us; it requires a lifetime of effort and discipline.
What can we do to focus on Christ? Let me give you an illustration. Have you ever written a list of life priorities? For most Christians, it revolves around the big four (career, family, health, Christ). Now look at what Colossians 1:16 tells us: “For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.” (The Message)
This passage reminds us that there is no place where Christ is not first in a believer’s life. It means in life’s priorities, keeping focus on Christ. It does not mean “Christ in first place, followed by family in second, or career in third…” but having an attitude that says “Christ IN my family. Christ IN my career.”
Do you see how that changes how we plan and prioritize everything? We do not stop being Christians when we are at work, but in the light of Christ and his return; we are to be the best employees we can be, doing our work in a way that honours God and reflects Biblical principles of integrity and non-favouritism, because he is IN our lives. That is what it means to keep focus on him.
Everything starts in Christ, and finds its purpose in him. Let us focus on Christ and be intentional about making him the centre of our lives.
Amos Lau