Today we begin a new series entitled “Life in Focus.” In particular, we will look closely at the biblical principles for the equation E+R=O.
Life in Focus
Introduction
“We must remember throughout our lives that in God’s sight there are no little people and no little places. Only one thing is important:
To be consecrated persons
in God’s place for us, at each moment.”
—Francis Schaeffer—
God created you to live a strategic life. You are alive here and now because this is where and when God wants you. God has strategically placed you in this time and place in history to work in you and through you to accomplish his purposes.
The Lord created you to be a bearer of his image and an agent of his kingdom in the sphere of influence he has given to you. You influence the “20 square feet” around you through your attitude and actions. The work you do every day, the decisions you make, the things you say, and the relationships you build all have eternal significance.
Given that reality, the Christian life is an invitation to recognize and respond to God’s call on your life. It is an exhortation to fully embrace the purpose and power of living and working in relationship to the God who created you and redeemed you.
As Dr. Schaeffer says in the quote above, in God’s kingdom there are no little people and no little places. Who you are and what you do has an impact on the people and situations around you.
The purpose of the Life in Focus devotional series is to equip you with the mindset and skillset to respond to the Lord’s call to excellence in your life. In the following weeks we will focus on timeless truth that is both biblical and practical. We will teach orthodoxy and orthopraxy.
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” (Ephesians 4.1)
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1.3)
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” (James 3.13)
Read carefully the scriptures quoted above. The message is simple and exceptionally clear: The Lord calls us to live and work in a way that is “worthy,” that aligns with his “glory and excellence,” and that is characterized by “wisdom and good conduct.”
The Lord created us to be wise in the way we live and work, thereby displaying our “good conduct” and our “works.” It is noteworthy that the James 3 passage includes a call to “meekness,” which is the Greek word prautes. It is a word rich with meaning, and “meekness” is a very misleading translation. Prautes means being calm, self-controlled, and focused, especially in response to challenging and difficult situations.
The Lord calls us to “walk in a worthy manner” not in order to be saved, but because we are saved. He calls us to excellence not for our glory, but for his glory. The Lord calls us to respond to the stuff of life with prautes so that his character and kingdom are revealed to a watching world.
Life in Focus means to pursue life and work as God designed it: Calm, self-controlled, focused, and wise. It is a life guided by the principles of scripture and empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is the way of the kingdom of God. The way of Christ.
There is an opposite way to go about life: Anxious, impulsive, distracted, and foolish. This is a life directed by the impulses and habits of the old nature. It is the way of the kingdom of darkness. It is the way of the Enemy.
That is the choice that confronts every person: Will you respond to the call of Jesus and live the life for which he created you, or will you reject his call and live a life directed by self and impulse?
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” (Colossians 1.13)
More tomorrow…
