Last week we discussed that we are
one with Jesus Christ. Isn't that just awesome? We are one with the
King of all kings, the Lord of all lords. He is living and
breathing within us. His eternal life is pulsating through our
veins and we are part of His Kingdom now already as we have seen.
How wonderful is that?
And because we are part of His
Kingdom, God wants us focused on His Kingdom and not on what goes
on here on earth. He wants us pure and filled with His
goodness:
"...you were raised with
Christ; therefore seek those things which are above, where Christ
is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things
above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is
hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:1-3
"Finally brothers and sisters,
whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians
4:8
"The mind governed by the flesh
is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace."
Romans 8:6
"So put to death the sinful,
earthly things lurking within you." Colossians 3:5
God wants us focused on the true,
noble, pure, lovely, admirable and praiseworthy things of His
Kingdom. He doesn't want us to focus on the filth of this
world. The filth of this world feeds us death, it causes stress and
it steals our joy. God wants us to put to death the sinful, earthly
things lurking within us.
You see in the Garden of Eden, God
forbid Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and
evil. Notice the word 'knowledge' there. God didn't want them to
even have the knowledge of evil. He didn't want them to fill their
minds with it, because He knew the effect that it would have on
them and He was right. Simply within a couple of generations after
Adam the whole world was so evil God had to destroy it. Only one
man and his family found favour with God and so the human race was
saved. But the point is, the knowledge of evil brings evil.
And when your mind is governed by the flesh, it brings death. But
Jesus came to give us just the opposite, life!
I have come to the realisation that
some people believe that they need to be exposed to the evil of
this world, in order to be able to live in this world. They believe
that they should expose their kids to the evil out there, in order
to equip them. I disagree and God's Word does too. The only way to
be able to survive and live in the world out there is to be filled
to the brim with God's Word. To meditate on His Word day and night.
To think on those things that are lovely and admirable. To focus on
His Kingdom and how amazing He is. And the result would be that
your life will be governed by peace and everlasting life. You will
be strong enough to handle anything coming your way. That is why
Proverbs 22:6 tells us:
"Train up a child in the way he
should go; and when he is older, he will not depart from
it."
In other words, train him in the
ways of God and he will stay in the ways of God. But when you train
him in the ways of the world, only the grace of God would be able
to rescue him back for His Kingdom.
Rather fill your thoughts with God
and you will be surprised by the wonderful peace and tranquillity
it brings. He is Almighty filled with all goodness and love.
Focus on Him no matter the situation surrounding you. He is mighty
to save and to help.
Therefore stand up today and make a
conscious decision to keep filth out of your life. Be vigilant with
what you allow to enter into your mind through television, apps,
radio, magazines and books. Do not focus on a broken world; rather
focus on a healed and holy Kingdom. What you focus on, you become.
I will speak a bit more about it next week.
Father thank you that we have a
wonderful Kingdom to focus on. Thank you that we have prospects of
good in sight. Help us to rather focus on that, in order for life
and peace to flow. We love you. Amen