This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, with an emphasis on “Focusing on God’s Finished Work”. All week I’ve been giving you examples of grace-cases from the Old Testament. Let’s close out the week with one from the New Testament.
When Jesus was looking for disciples, men who would spend quality and intimate time with Him, men who were called to continue what He started, Jesus did not look for the most educated, affluent or influential men of His day. Jesus picked simple, ordinary, hard working and industrious men to follow Him. These men changed the world. They didn’t do it by their strength, power or charisma. They did it by God’s amazing grace. So don’t count yourself out if you don’t feel like you have the most impressive qualifications. You are a perfect candidate to be a grace case for Jesus!
In Jesus’ day the fishing industry produced rough and rugged men. Jesus called several of His disciples from this industry. One of them was named Simon. Simon was not polished, refined, cultured or sophisticated. But by the grace of God Simon the Fisherman became Peter the Apostle, the leader of the New Testament church.
Simon had to die to his identity as a fisherman in order to become an Apostle. All his life Simon had perfected his craft as a fisher of fish and he had to walk away from everything he was comfortable with in order to become a fisher of men. He was not perfect. He often made mistakes. He was top-tempered and quick to ‘fly off the handle’, but he was called and he accepted the call. Peter focused on his new assignment, his new life, and his new reality. As a result, he changed the world by God’s grace. The same can happen for you if you are willing to die to your old man and become the person God called you to be. But you must be willing to focus on your calling more than your past.
God looked past Peter’s faults, flaws and failures, and He saw his purpose. God birthed Peter for a purpose and He was determined to see that purpose come to pass. The same can be said of you.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- Simon the Fisherman was willing to pay the cost of discipleship. He left everything to follow Jesus. What did he get in return? His destiny! Are you willing to die in order to truly live?
- In order for Simon the Fisherman to become Peter the Apostle he had to be willing to leave the life he had for the life he was called to… from the foundations of the world. Peter made his choice, he paid the cost, he made the sacrifice. Are you willing to do the same?
- Godly success is not a matter of more trying, it is actually a matter of more dying. Simon had to die to self in order to become Peter, and you will have to die to self in order to become the person God called you to be.
- God wants to use your personality. Peter was rough and boisterous. God did not completely change him. God used Peter’s personality for His glory. God will do the same with you. When you come to God He is not looking to completely strip you of yourself. Your personality is what makes you special. God made you that way. He will use you and your personality for His glory. I am witness. I love my personality and I am thankful that God did not make me change it when I came to Him. God uses me, ALL OF ME, my Brooklynisms and all, for His glory and He will do the same with you. God can share His power through your personality for His glory. Let Him do it!
- God is not looking for perfection, but He is looking for authenticity. Peter never tried to be anyone but himself. He was far from perfect, he made a myriad of mistakes, but God was able to anoint his authenticity. My point is that God’s anointing only flows through the authentic. God does not validate inauthentic behavior with His blessing.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016 by dying to self. All that stands in the way of my divine success is ME! In order to become the person You birthed me to be, I must be willing to give up the person I became on my own. Before coming to know You I picked up habits, characteristics, customs, practices and ways that conflict with the life You birthed me to have. I grew accustomed to things that are now counterproductive to my divine assignment. So by faith I die to me and my old ways. As I do, You flow through me, and I become the person I was always intended to be. I am willing to pay the price for Godly success. That price is giving You my life! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
