Time to change our focus

The world in which we in, is not a place of abode, rather a market place where people come to buy their necessities and go home. It is indeed a misplacement of priority for anyone to depend solely on the things of this world, as everything on this planet earth is perishable.

Then man who is on the earth for the purpose of attainment of perfection prior to final retirement in heaven should change his focus, think and work more on the things of God, which are eternal. According to the plan of God, the final abode of man is heaven, but whosoever that fails to meet the standard of perfection that God has set, will find himself in another home called hell fire. Hell fire, however, is not God’s destined place for any man but whoever chooses to go there is on his own, it is the person’s choice. It is, therefore, expedient that every man on earth should change his or her focus and concentrate on the things of God that will lead him or her to heaven at the end of this earthly life. It is on this premise, that the Bible advises in Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Body and soul must be put together and that will be done by consumption of good food but that is secondary, as the most important is life.

In the Bible context, we are talking of everlasting life in heaven. We must seek the kingdom of God first, then the things of the world to keep the body and soul together will be added to us. The expression the kingdom God refers to the rule of the heaven; that is God’s rule over the earth. However, the kingdom of heaven is similar in many respects to the kingdom of God and is often used synonymously though with emphasis on divine government. In contrast to the universal kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven includes only men on earth excluding the angels and other creatures. The kingdom of God is viewed as everlasting and universal; the rule of God over everything. In this sense the kingdom of God includes kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of God is also used to designate the sphere of salvation entered into only by the new birth. The kingdom of God is realised in the rule of God in the present age and will also be fulfilled in the future millennial kingdom. It continues forever in the eternal state. The fact that, it is of God and everlasting is the reason we seek it first.

In the lead scripture, Apostle Paul is emphasising on the need to look beyond this earth and think of the life after the present earth. If our focus is only on this earth, we are to be pitied because we are not seeing beyond our nose. Prior to His departure to heaven, Jesus told His disciples He was going to prepare a place for us and He is coming back to take His disciples to where He will stay in heaven. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are in expectation of His second coming to take the saints to heaven. Our focus should always be beyond the earth and the things of this earth. Earthly possessions are there to keep us going, but our mind must not be on them. That is why the Bible in Mark 8:35-37 says, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37: Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul”? Possession of earthly wealth only will lead us to nowhere because it will perish here on earth, while the soul goes into life everlasting, heaven or hell fire, depending on the individual’s focus.

There is nothing more precious than our life and that is what the soul represents. When we focus on the things of God, we are preparing our soul for the everlasting life in heaven but otherwise it will lead the soul to hell fire and God did not plan hell fire for any man. It is, therefore, necessary if not optimally compulsory to focus our attention to heaven. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God came to the earth purposely to reconcile us with God and ensure that we focus on God. When we focus God other things will be added unto us. The Bible in 1st Timothy 6:6-7, says,“But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” Whatever any man has here on earth, should be satisfied with it and focus on rendering wholehearted service to God. While serving God, one is making investment in heaven where the soul will eventually go at the end of life on earth. The preaching of the gospel is aimed at conversion of lost souls and hence our Lord Jesus Christ directed believers to occupy till He comes back.

It is important to urge as many as have not repented to do so now that the grace is still available. The things of the world will perish but the soul is immortal either in heaven or in hell fire. For any soul to go to heaven, that soul needs repentance. We should, therefore, not misuse the opportunity of the grace, which the death of Jesus Christ has offered to us. That is why the Bible warns severally in 1st Corinthians 7:29-31, “But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30: And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31: And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.” It is important to note that less attention should be paid at this time to the things of this world.

No one knows the time rapture will take place or the time death will knock at the door. Time is short. It will be abuse of the opportunity of the grace offered to us by our Lord Jesus Christ if we fail to make heaven at the end of this earthly life. If your attention has been only on how to make wealth without consideration where your soul will spend eternity, you need to change focus now, as God is calling you to do so. Your soul is important to Him. If you answer that call of God by repenting and focusing on the things of God, you will make heaven at the end of this life. Do not allow this opportunity to pass you by. Jesus Christ is knocking at the door of your heart and patiently waiting to be allowed in, will you disappoint Him? Receive Him now and it shall be well with you.