Where is Your Focus?

     Many of you know that my dear husband is an eye doctor.  We often get into discussions about the eye which is a very complex organ of the body.  For example, if you stare straight ahead at an object for a long time, your peripheral (side vision) will go blank.  You will be unaware of things in your side vision.  Have you ever wondered why?  It's because the eye needs constant (very slight) movement to stimulate the nerves which help us to see well.  So, even though we think we are looking directly at another person, we are actually scanning that person's face so rapidly that we don't realize it.  The constant slight movement helps us see the person.
     In the same way, we need to focus on ALL of God's Word....not just a portion of it.  Both Old and New Testaments are important and form a cohesive unit in describing who God is and who we are in relationship to Him.  Look with me at 2 Timothy 3:10-15:  "You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra - which persecutions I endured ; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.  Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
     As we consider the verses, we see in the first verse that Paul is recounting the persecution, afflictions and difficulties which he has had to endure.  However, he has had victory over them all through the Lord who delivered him.  He points this out to Timothy.  He urges Timothy to persevere in the example  that he has set for  him and also in the Word of God which he had been taught from childhood.
     Then, we come to two verses well-known to and loved by believers, 2 Timothy 3:16-17:  "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."  Paul did not say "some" Scripture is good for us.  He said ALL Scripture!  We can so easily get our focus on just one thing that we exclude other areas that we need to consider.  Some people just look at the love of God, or the wrath of God, evangelism, church growth, the endtimes, Satan or sin.  They do so to the exclusion of the rest of God's counsel.  That's when the vision begins to blur.
     We are called to see the whole picture and not just focus on some truths.  That is how a cult can be born.  Instead, we must be careful to consider the whole truth of God's Word.  So as we study the Bible and seek His face, let us keep our focus on the big picture as the Lord presents it to us so that we may be fit workmen in His kingdom.  Selah!


Note:  The picture of the eye is from the public domain of Wiki Commons.  Halani is the photographer.