Our Help and Our Deliverer
Thankfully, Jesus does NOT ask us to dig deep, or to search for deeper faith. &
Thankfully, the Savior DOES ask us to fix our eyes and to focus our faith that we do have on Him.
To show this truth, look with me at the apostle Paul’s writing to the believers living in Colossae who struggled with thoughts of the mind and appetites of the flesh, or as Paul writes: “the elementary principles of the world” (The Letter of Paul to the Colossians 2: 8b & 20a NASB). Bible scholars have dated Paul’s letter during the time period of 60- 62 AD, during a time when he lived in house arrest in Rome. Rather than existing with the struggles of the mind and flesh, believers are to put on the NEW self through the power found in Christ Jesus.
“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ,
(The Letter of Paul to the Colossians 3: 1-2 NASB)
keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”
Seeking heavenly things.
Walking by faith.
Fixing our eyes on Christ Jesus.
Setting our mind not on earthly desires, but on heavenly treasures.
We have been gifted with a salvation that endures, that is lasting, eternal; therefore, we have no need to remain fixated on anything here on earth, for we are children of God, purchased by the shed blood of Jesus, and HE ALONE must be the “object” of our faith. His Person. His Character. His Saving Grace. Those are the areas of our focus, and that is how we navigate through the life-storms, for they will come. Oftentimes, we hear pastors speak this way:
You are walking out of a storm, OR You are walking through a storm, OR You are walking into a storm. All of humanity exists in one of those three locations. Nevertheless, for the unbeliever, the “storm” becomes the object of his focus. However, for the believer, the “person of Jesus” remains the object of his faith. There is so much comfort in remembering WHO we need to look to every day of our earthly existence.
“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
(The Letter of Paul to the Colossians 3: 3-4 NASB)
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
We are given a freewill choice where we will look, how we will look, and to whom we will look.
We can look up; we can look with spiritual assurance, and we can look to the Savior, eagerly fixated on the return of Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Daily, the choice is ours to decide.
Moment-by-moment, the decision is ours to choose.
Thus, brother and sister-in-Christ, do not focus on the storm of life looming large and do not place your hope in the wavering security of your earthly home, your earthly career, or your earthly position.
Look up and place our eyes on the lost who surround us.
Look up and place our eyes on the clouds, looking for the Son of God’s return.
“Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
(The Psalms 40: 16-17 NASB)
Let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“The LORD be magnified!”
Since I am afflicted and needy,
Let the Lord be mindful of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Do not delay, O my God.”