We have been talking in Sunday school class about keeping our focus intact with God as the center of our lives. We have looked back in biblical times when people were blessed and had their focus for awhile only to drift away from God. They leaned on and started worshiping idols or things that were not of God. Then as a people they were taken in captivity by nations that didn’t fear God. This happened several times. They were rescued by repenting and regaining their focus on God.
So, I was thinking, anything that causes us to lose our focus on God will eventually take us captive. The reminder of scripture is to stay focused and if you lose your focus, repent from the heart and make it right with God. We have seen people get wrapped up in things that aren’t bad in the right perspective, but they start to take over our lives and we have little time for God. Once we let things crowd God out of our lives that opens the door for worse things to creep in and all of a sudden, we are in captivity to sin. This happened in generations before Jesus and is still happening today.
When I was a young Christian, I used to wonder if could measure up to the Christian life standard. Temptation was around every corner. So, I studied and talked to Christians and ministers to find some answers. I found that I needed a consistent prayer life, regular engagement in scripture, and active participation in Christian community. There are also acts of gratitude, intentionally focusing on God’s presence through our daily life to worship and fellowship, and seeking God’s will.
Then I came upon looking at the New Testament Covenant or simply called the New Covenant. It is a promise between God and humanity. The New Covenant is about a new relationship where God promises forgiveness and a new way of life through Jesus. We can have a personal relationship with Him. His Holy Spirit can lead us if we are willing to let Him. As I said, there are times when I thought it was impossible to live up to a righteous Christian life because we are weak and temptation is everywhere. Well, I was right. I couldn’t do it in my own power. However, we have a friend that can help us, lead us, guide us, and we can have a personal relationship with Him. We don’t have to have anyone intercede for us, even though they may help us. We can talk to Jesus ourselves. He promised this to us in the New Covenant. We don’t have to know everything and don’t have to be perfect. We need to put our faith in God, love Him, trust Him, obey Him, and have a repentant heart when we fail. He promised we can have a new life if we follow Jesus. His Holy Spirit will guide us along our journey.
Romans 8:9 defines a Christian as anyone who has the Spirit of God living in them. If you have sincerely trusted Christ for salvation and acknowledge Him as Lord, then the Holy Spirit has come into your life. You are a Christian. It is a process of depending on the Holy Spirit to guide us through rough times while keeping open communication with God. We can’t do it in our own power. We need the Holy Spirit’s power to lift us and be with us along the way.