Losing Self: Finding Focus

Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault,

 ye which are spiritual, restore such an one 

in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, 

lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one 

another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

For if a man think himself to be something 

when he is nothing, he deceveth himself. 

But let every man prove his own work, 

and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, 

and not in another. For every man shall 

bear his own burden.

Galatians 6:1-5 

YOUR OWN VERSION

Your are writing a Gospel,

A chapter each day, 

By deeds that you do,

By words that you say.

Men read what you write,

Whether faithless or true;

Say, what is the Gospel

According to You?

Paul Gilbert

     Focus somewhat at times, fleeting ideas or efforts, a diminished devotion, not only to your efforts, but to you as well, and yet our focus should be that which directs us toward a common center and that center is Jesus Christ and this is the Gospel. This loss of focus is a common defect in men and women. I too can testify to a loss of focus and have need to reexamine myself, to take stock of myself and make the changes needed those changes inside/out. A way to examine oneself is to look at your accomplishments, those things that you are trying to do. After this examination can you see some wrong things or are you after the wrong things? It is easy to get caught in self-deception. Close friends are those you can go and be checked so you are not self-deceiving. If you will not do this, then something is wrong. When you become aware of this, here is the hard part, distrust yourself. Quit looking for all kinds of justifications to defend what you are doing and saying. So often in this self-examination you find that your passion, either has diminished, or you do not have the same value system, even more, the things of God will diminish. 

       Self-justification, oh how we loved to be justified, and if you find that your conduct and defense of your conduct, very often at this point you sense something is wrong. If you do not feel a sense of wrongness, you will not make any needed changes, in fact you will feel godly, god-like. STOP! Take a look at the big picture. Are all the areas of your life in conformity with the will and commands of God? Have you, or are you, out of conformity with what you know God wants? Have you, or are you, negligent about those most important spiritual things: i.e., prayer, reading the Bible, even attending Church? Is you time in devotion infrequent, or irregular? Have you replaced what is truth, what it means to be an Authentic Christian, or to have Authentic Christian Faith? IT IS TIME TO TAKE INVENTORY! 

     In your time taking stock of yourself, your achievements, those things that you believe are of God, that God has called you to those things, that which God wants to accomplish through you, consider this: whether or not you are giving them more time that they really require so that you lose time, time you need to take care of your spiritual needs. 

     After careful examination, a thorough taking of stock and you find that in both object and energy of your activities, try to pursue them without given them as much of your heart to them as you have been giving to them. That may sound weird: it is not! Make, and be successful, practicing in the midst of all you do executing the presence of God in the midst. Your activities, your exercise of life will manifest a more spiritual tone. 

      Guard against the temptation, this world's cultural temptations, and your need for self-realization, that drive to self-deception, and conform to Scripture, adjust yourself to the level that will justify your behavior. KEEP YOUR STANDARDS HIGH! Recognize this: you cannot do what is right without the help of God, you will not be able to achieve them consistently. This will keep you humble that is so necessary to reflect Jesus Christ, His nature, His character. 

Wash you, make you clean; put away

     the evil of your doings from before

Mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do

     well; seek judgment, relieve the

oppressed, judge the fatherless,

     plead for the widow.

                     Isaiah 1:16-17

What is your Gospel?

Richard L. Crumb