This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Focusing on Dying To Self”. We have been walking our way through the following passage for over a month. Let’s get back to it today.
The Apostle Paul said, “The love of Christ controls us, because we know that one person died for everyone. So all have died. He died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from death so that they would live for him. From this time on we don’t think of anyone as the world thinks of people. It is true that in the past we thought of Christ as the world thinks. But we don’t think that way now. When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!” (2 Cor 5:14-17 ERV).
Today we will, once again, focus on Paul’s closing statement in this passage – the last two lines. Paul said, “When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!” You are not trying to be new. You are not striving to be new. You ARE new, right now! Christ made you new and the Holy Spirit empowers you to live in the newness of the life Christ provided. So as you enter this day and this week, focus your attention on living as the new man you already are.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. If you are in Christ you are already new, but you must keep your focus/attention on your newness. Your actions are birthed out of your thoughts. If you don’t think differently, you won’t live differently, even though Christ has already made you different.
2. The day you were Born-Again God made you new. However, if you want to perform new actions you must think new thoughts. You can’t live a new life thinking the old way.
3. If you’re Born-Again satan cannot rob you of eternal life, but he will do all he can to rob you of enjoying the life Christ provided you. Satan will attempt to distract you and shift your focus from the things of God, so you fail to maximize your purpose and potential while you are in the earth.
4. Satan wants your focus.
a) If satan can get your attention for 5 seconds, he will have your mind for 5 minutes.
b) If satan can can distract you and keep your focus OFF the things of God, then he does not need to anything else. You are already defeated, because he derailed you in your thinking before you ever got started.
c) Satan knows he can’t stop you when you are focused on God, on your divine purpose, and on the power of the Holy Spirit to get it done. But if he can get you distracted, where your mind is focused on other things, he does not need to do anything else, because your actions will be birthed from the distraction and not your purpose.
d) God knows you are new and satan knows you are new. Satan knows he can’t do anything about your salvation, but he can influence the impact you can have in this world if he can get you distracted. This is why living your life with clarity, divine focus, and determination are so important.
5. Determine today that you will keep your focus on living as the person you already are in Christ Jesus. If you keep your focus, you will be able to walk with God and leave a mark in this world that will last for generations to come.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016 by bringing every wayward thought into captivity and aligning it with the knowledge of You. I am IN Christ and Christ is IN me. I am IN Your Kingdom and Your Kingdom is IN me. I have been made new. I am new right now. The old is gone and everything is new. So I set my affections on the things that are above. I am new, right now, and I set my mind to live like the new man I already am. I am not easily distracted. I refuse to be derailed from my destiny. I keep my mind and my focus on You Father, on the purpose You set before me, and on leaving the mark in this world I was born to leave. My mind is SET on You. My thoughts are fixed on focused on You every day, in every way. Living this way I get to live the life I was born to live. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
