If you’re focused on the world

  God will be blurry!

Are you ready to dive deep into this message?  Then let’s go and grab your scuba gear and jump right in.

Let’s look at the camera lens.  When we look through it, we really can only focus on one item at a time.  If you’re focused on an object or person, the objects or people in the back are blurry.  If we focus on the objects or people in the back then the same goes for those in the front, they are blurry.  Well, the same goes for God, if we focus on Him, the world becomes a blur to us and doing His will becomes ever so clear, but if it’s the world we focus on, then God’s will for our life will be blurred.

Let’s look at the world’s focus.  The world loves its lusts, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.  The world lives to please itself.  What makes me happy?  What is going to satisfy me?  The world doesn’t need God for it worships all of its own false gods.  The world loves itself, its very pattern is one of no hope, no peace, and no eternal life.  It also is temporal meaning one day it will be gone along with all its lusts.  Let’s look at some scripture that describes the world.  

 “…the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” 1 John 5:19

If this is true then should we be focused on it?

“…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God…. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” Romans 12:2, 9

This means following and doing what Jesus has instructed. You will know what this is by reading His word and devoting yourself over to Him 100%

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”  1 John 2:15-17

Wow! Did you get that?  Read it again.

“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” John 18:36

What Jesus is saying is this world is not His.  It is a place for the devil and his followers.  We are not to conform to it, but renew our minds so we please Him.

“If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:19-20

If you’re standing for Jesus the world will hate you, so be prepared.

“Friendship with the world is enmity to God.” James 4:4

You can’t be friends with the people of this world for they are not children of God, but His enemies.  You can be seed planters though, leading people to Him.  Focus on your calling and be friendly with people in hopes that they accept the call that is our life mission, not just to be friends.

“…the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” John 3:19-20

The world hates Jesus and this is why we should not have any part of it, I think this scripture is very clear.

“…all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:21

The world is out for itself and its own desires, I beg all who read this to turn and run after the things of Christ.

“… in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

“…all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned…” 2 Timothy 3:1-14

Yes, this is deep; it is explaining the world as it is now.  We must not be part of it for we have to run away from its evil ways and run to God with an open heart asking for forgiveness.  He is coming soon and will destroy all the works of the devil.  Don’t be fooled by thinking your good and you can be in the world doing as it does.

Be in the world, sharing His truth and love, but do not part of it!

“As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 20:21

Jesus is saying just as His Father God has sent Him into this world to bring hope and to give people salvation, He is sending us.  We must answer the call and stay focused on God and His mission.  Answer your calling.

It’s time to re-focus your lens.  Get it focused on Jesus and start fulfilling your calling for God has a plan for all of us, a plan to prosper us and not harm us.

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?” 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.” John 15:18-21

“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Those who refuse to love the world face hostility.

“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” John 17:14-18

“…the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.”

John 16:2-3

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Don’t be dismayed, for the Lord will always be with you.

“Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret….

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit….” Ephesians 5:8-18

We need to keep our lens focused on Jesus, His plan, and His righteousness.  Our job as Christians is to stand out not blend in.  People will never know about the goodness of Christ if all we do is blend in and conform.  We must stand apart.

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  Joshua 24:15

Don’t choose to follow the false gods of this world, wealth, false religions, actors, sports players, and luxury but serve the Lord Jesus.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body….” Philippians 3:20

 Keep your lens focused on Him.  At times you may start to focus on the world and that’s understandable and He understands.  He is forgiving and so loving.  God loves His children and for that, we all must repent and refocus, focus as if your life depends on it.  The Lord’s work is the most important thing in our life, any less is evil.

So go refocus your lens and start your pursuit, your journey towards our Savior, doing His will, for this is what is pleasing to our Father in heaven.