Living for "One Thing"
We are disciples of Jesus Christ. This means that He is not only our savior, but also our teacher, mentor, and guide. He is the ultimate Wisdom of God. In Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and understanding (Colossians 2:3). So, when He teaches on the value of concentrated focus – giving our full attention to life’s Chief Purpose – we had better listen to the Master.
What Jesus taught on Focused Living
Matthew 6: 19- 34: The Lord warns us clearly that we can not serve two masters at the same time. It is not possible to give our full devotion to both God and money at the same time. He then encourages us to lay up our treasures in heaven, to stake it all on God and His kingdom. God won’t fail us, but He demands that we first give Him our all. He demands single-hearted devotion to Him. The Lord essentially calls our attention to competing interests that tend to distract from God’s purpose for us.
Matthew 13: 44-46: Here, the Master makes no assumptions about the value of this treasure. The treasure is valuable, and it is hidden. Only those who value it will seek it out. And only those who value it enough will dare “sell all” they have in order to own this treasure. God’s kingdom is worth seeking after with our whole heart, and it is definitely worth giving all our time and effort.
Paul, an example of a good disciple: Philippians 3: 7-14: Paul has learned from the Master. He has found Christ’s love and discovered his assignment. And for joy, he has counted all other things but loss for the excellence of knowing Jesus Christ. He reminds us that now he forgets all that is past, and pursues wholly that single purpose for which Jesus has called him. Here is a good example for us.
Practical Lessons for us: Go has called us all to a single purpose – to know and glorify God. This is the huge treasure we are called to focus all attention on. God has also given you a specific assignment – an opportunity or a series of opportunities to serve God and humanity, thereby glorifying God. It is our duty to seek out such opportunities, to maximize them when they open up, and to keep our priorities straight to reflect our purpose and assignment.
We are disciples of Jesus Christ. This means that He is not only our savior, but also our teacher, mentor, and guide. He is the ultimate Wisdom of God. In Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and understanding (Colossians 2:3). So, when He teaches on the value of concentrated focus – giving our full attention to life’s Chief Purpose – we had better listen to the Master.
What Jesus taught on Focused Living
Matthew 6: 19- 34: The Lord warns us clearly that we can not serve two masters at the same time. It is not possible to give our full devotion to both God and money at the same time. He then encourages us to lay up our treasures in heaven, to stake it all on God and His kingdom. God won’t fail us, but He demands that we first give Him our all. He demands single-hearted devotion to Him. The Lord essentially calls our attention to competing interests that tend to distract from God’s purpose for us.
Matthew 13: 44-46: Here, the Master makes no assumptions about the value of this treasure. The treasure is valuable, and it is hidden. Only those who value it will seek it out. And only those who value it enough will dare “sell all” they have in order to own this treasure. God’s kingdom is worth seeking after with our whole heart, and it is definitely worth giving all our time and effort.
Paul, an example of a good disciple: Philippians 3: 7-14: Paul has learned from the Master. He has found Christ’s love and discovered his assignment. And for joy, he has counted all other things but loss for the excellence of knowing Jesus Christ. He reminds us that now he forgets all that is past, and pursues wholly that single purpose for which Jesus has called him. Here is a good example for us.
Practical Lessons for us: Go has called us all to a single purpose – to know and glorify God. This is the huge treasure we are called to focus all attention on. God has also given you a specific assignment – an opportunity or a series of opportunities to serve God and humanity, thereby glorifying God. It is our duty to seek out such opportunities, to maximize them when they open up, and to keep our priorities straight to reflect our purpose and assignment.
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