Freedom Begins with Focus

"I just can't!  I try and try and try to do the right thing, but it never works.  I am forever doomed to live a life in bondage to sin.  I hate it.  I wish I could be free."

Oh dear friend, you CAN be free.  Jesus has come that we could have life, and life more abundantly.  He conquered our sin, nailing it with Him to the cross - along with its power and influence.  

We just don't believe it.  We think our "sin" is some huge obstacle that cannot be beaten, when in fact, it's already BEEN beaten.  We, as Believers in Jesus Christ, have all the power necessary to conquer the "things" that haunt us.

We are power-filled, literally.  Ephesians 1:18-20 says, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you (not "disappointing life"), the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and (here it is) His incomparably great power for those of us who believe.  That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at the right hand in the heavenly realms."

Did you see it!?!  Did you see that we have the very power that raised Christ from the dead at our disposal.  So, if we are indeed power-filled, then why can we not seem to conquer our "besetting sin?"

I think our problem is focus.  You see, we focus on the "thing," while trying to conquer it.  We stare it straight in the eyes, becoming more and more powerless the longer our gaze is held.

Then, where should our focus be, if not on the thing we are trying to conquer?  I'm glad you asked.  The answer is so simple, it's easy to overlook.  Our focus should be...get this...our Savior.

Colossians 3:1-2 tells us to "Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."  Again, Paul tells us in Hebrews 12 to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith."  Nowhere in Scripture (that I know of) are we told to fix our eyes on our sin...to focus on the "offending thing," NOWHERE.

My husband shared this story from the pulpit today.  It defines clearly what happens when we focus on Christ.  Read it carefully and really think about what Dannecker was saying:

"Dannecker, the German sculptor, spent eight years in producing a face of Christ; and at last wrought out one in which the emotions of love and sorrow were perfectly blended that beholders wept as they looked upon it.  Subsequently, being solicited to employ his great talent on a statue of Venus, he replied, "After gazing so long into the face of Christ, think you that I can now turn my attention to a heathen goddess?'"  Here is the true secret of weanedness from worldy idols, "the expulsive power of a new affection."

Dearest Jesus, set my affections on You today...and every day.  Change my lifestyle, my habits, my comings and goings to reflect constant contact with You, so that whatever tries to take my thoughts away from You can be seen for what it truly is...unworthy.  I love You, Father.