STAY FOCUSED -Pastor (Mrs.) Bibi-Courage Ode

To build a stronghold of faith in God, we must keep our eyes on Him. 

Life is a race! There are rules for every race. No matter how well you run the race, if you do not run according to the rules, you will not be crowned. In this race, we must run according to the rules. Though we are all in the race, it's also very personal. No one will be judged, based on the performance of another.

As you run, you must stay focused. Refuse to be Deceived, Discouraged or Distracted. These three D's will come to you from all sides, from within and outside, but you must keep faith alive and remain strong.

 Psalm 34: 5 says, “They looked unto him and were lightened and their faces were not ashamed”. 

We need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” Hebrews 12:1-3-KJV

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart”. Heb. 12:1-3- AMP

“Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” Heb. 12:1-3-MSG

Looking at these verses, we can infer the following;

1. We are encompassed with a great cloud of witnesses.

2. There are weights and sins we need to lay aside. 

3. We must run the race with patience

4. We must look unto Jesus

If you want to keep faith and finish well and strong, keep your eyes on Jesus.

Let's look closely at these key points 

1. Who are these witnesses? In context, these witnesses are the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. These witnesses are not just spectators; they have passed through the paths and have proofs. They proved this by their lives and absolute faith in God. They followed even in the face of death, distress, distractions. There is always an example for us to follow, clear cut examples in scriptures and around us today. There’s nothing you are going through, no trial, temptation, or whatever you are experiencing that is new. So we are inexcusable.  

2. Lay aside the weights and sins that beset.

What are weights? Things that slow you down, hinder you and sometimes may even disqualify you, they are extra fat, burdens, impediments. Sin is anything contrary to God's law, the word of God. It will obstruct and hinder you. To keep on with the race, you have to let go of these. Put them off, let go of them. 

Weights come in different forms: The cares of this world, the basic things of life can become weights if we don’t stay focused on the kingdom and things that count for eternity. Food, drink, crave for money, influence and affluence, the company you keep, social media, malice, jealous, envy, unforgiveness, works of the flesh..., all of these and more, can slow you down, hinder you and be impediments on the race. Rom. 13:11-14, Col.1:1-10.

3. Run the race with patience. Patience means steadfastness, constancy, consistency. Patience also means, you have something in view that hasn't yet come, still, you are holding on; Patience is the characteristics of a man who is not moved from his deliberate purpose and loyalty to faith even in the face of trials and great sufferings. You stick to your loyalty to Jesus and to the word in spite of your circumstance. Your spiritual strength will deflate if you are not patient and you can’t be patient if you do not have a focus. What gives you staying power is what your heart is focused on. Patience is required for you to finish the race. It is through faith and patience the promises are obtained. Heb. 6:12, 10:36, Rev. 3:10-11. 

4. Look unto Jesus. If your faith will not fail, set your eyes on Him. We have enough reasons to look to Him. 

- He is the author and finisher of our faith. 

- He completes what he starts. Phil 1:6, Ps. 138:8.

- In Him we live, and move and have our being. Acts 17:28.

- Jesus is our perfect example. 1st Peter 2: 21 

You only lose focus when your gaze shifts from Jesus. At the word of the Lord, Peter walked on water, but the minute his attention shifted, he began to sink. Matthew 14: 28-31.

Jesus Himself had a focus. His eyes were fixed on the mission before Him. His eyes were set on the finishing line...”who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame...” Jesus paid the price. What we need to endure is nothing compared to the glory we will enjoy. There's no suffering that lasts forever. 2 Cor.4:16-18, 1 Cor. 9:24-27. 

We keep our eyes on Him by giving heed to His instructions; you must give attention to the things He is saying. The true proof of our followership is that we give heed to His instructions and we fellowship with Him in prayers. 

Do what he says. There are many things you will escape in life if you just do the word of God. When you are focused on Jesus, you are oblivious of the prevailing situations around you. They will not move you. Matt. 7:24 -26. 

Beloved, look up, keep your eyes on Jesus. Do the word.