Finding Your Focus

Scriptural Text: 1 Timothy 4:6

Identification with Christ

The story has been told of a girl who was the daughter of one of the royal families of Europe, but had a big, bulbous nose that in her eyes destroyed her beauty and resulted in her seeing herself as an ugly person. Finally her family hired a famous plastic surgeon to change the contour of the girl’s nose. He did his work, and there came the moment when they took the bandages off and the girl could see the results. The doctor saw that the operation had been a total success. All the ugly contours were gone. Her nose was different. When the incisions healed and the redness disappeared, she would be a beautiful girl. He held up a mirror for the girl to see, but so deeply embedded was the girl’s image of herself that when she saw herself in the mirror, she couldn’t see any change. She broke into tears and cried out, “Oh, I knew it wouldn’t work!”

It took six months before the girl would accept the fact that she was indeed an attractive person, and it wasn’t until she had accepted this fact that her self-image and behavior began to change accordingly. So it is with those who are “in Christ.” We must accept our new identity before we will change.

Frustrations in life makes us at times lose our focus:

Frustration is defined as “a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs.”

Frustration is an avenue by which God teaches us how to enjoy the freedom He so graciously provides, Romans 8:20-21.

Romans 8:20–21 (NIV) 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

"True freedom comes when you fix the focus of your heart on Christ alone. Wealth, power, intelligence, beauty, status, politics, or even religious piety can lead quickly to bondage, especially when we desire these more than we desire Christ." 1 Tim. 6:17

1 Timothy 6:17 (NLT) 17Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.

Paul encouraged Timothy to be a good servant of Christ and warned against the idle speculation of the human mind.

The Power of Godly Living (1 Tim. 4:6-10); see 2 Tim. 2:1-7 (Endure hardship)

These passages each stress focusing on the task at hand. The First Timothy passage focusing on training in godliness as godliness has many benefits.

Life is difficult. Ministry is difficult. Christian discipleship is difficult. Following Christ creates problems. Thus, Paul charges Timothy to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

The Second Timothy passage uses several examples to drive home the idea of training and being focused on the proper aspect(s) of the task at hand, either as a soldier must be focused on soldiering, as an athlete must be focused on physical training, or as a farmer must concentrate on raising crops. In the same way, Paul exhorts Timothy, we must approach our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Finding focus and staying focus:

Nourishment (1 Tim. 4:6; Acts 20:32; 2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Tim. 3:15-16; Jer. 15:16)

engaged in a continual process of spiritual nourishment. The “words of faith” and “good doctrine” become the staples in the daily diet of the one who would be a true servant of Jesus Christ.

The gospel and the Christian faith as truth (Eph 1:13)

Ephesians 1:13 (ESV) — 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Ac. 20:32).

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Ti. 2:15).

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Ti. 3:15–16).

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts” (Je. 15:16).

Exercise (spiritual exercise) [1 Tim. 4:7-8; 1Tim. 6:9-11; Titus 2:12-13; 2 Pet. 3:11; 1 Tim. 6:6; Titus 3:8]

we are to exert ourselves by conditioning ourselves in godliness.

Note: godliness is to be his life. All of his energy, effort, time, and dedication are to be given over to godliness. The minister is to know no exercise but the exercise of godliness.

Paul’s point is clear. Physical exercise profits in this life, but only in this life. Spiritual exercise profits in this life and in the life to come.

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Tit. 2:12–13).

“Exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Ti. 4:7–8).

“But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Ti. 6:6).

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men” (Tit. 3:8).

Hard work (Labor and strive) [Jn. 9:4; Ro. 12:11; 1 Cor. 15:58; Gal. 6:9-10; 2 Tim. 4:5; Heb. 6:11-12; Eccl 9:10]

Only those who are in good condition engage in strenuous labor.To be genuinely engaged in Christian service and ministry requires total fitness, physical and spiritual. The needs are overwhelming. The demands are constant. Only those who are in top condition can do the work required.

The reason given for persevering in such arduous toil is our “trust in the living God.” The word used here for “trust” (ēlpika-men), is in a tense that makes it mean a continuing state of hope.

He will not disappoint us or forsake us. And in the end, we will be glorified with Him. What a payday that will be! Payday is Coming!!!

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (Jn. 9:4).

“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Ro. 12:11).

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Co. 15:58).

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Ga. 6:9–10).

“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Ti. 4:5).

“And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (He. 6:11–12).

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ec. 9:10).