Bible Ballistics: BBs  #392 ‘Dis’Traction Is No ‘Traction’???

 

I thought we’d take this Friday and remind ourselves to watch out for the “distractions” of the world, for when we get side-tracked by the distractions of the world, we wind up with ‘No Traction” spiritually. And when we aren’t going forward with Jesus we are not standing still, we are loosing ground. And God calls us to press onward not backward!

“Brethren,

I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect, (mature)

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless,

whereto we have already attained,

let us walk by the same rule,

let us mind the same thing.”    Philippians 3:13-16

One of the big things that I believe that Paul is telling us today, is that if we will heed The Word, and learn how to walk with and before our God, we are to “keep up the good work!” We are to persevere in His ways.

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”    Luke 18:1

We are often cautioned in the scripture to willfully press on, without distraction, keeping our eyes on Jesus—HE is our purpose! He will supply all we need to not “faint”!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin

which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run

with patience

the race

that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction

of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12:1-3

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture; for it reminds us so clearly that our goal is to follow Jesus. I don’t believe (as some do, and that’s ok) that this is the picture of a great sports arena in heaven, and the saints are sitting around cheering us on; rather I believe this is a summation of chapter 11 (The great chapter of faith!), reminding us that as those who have gone before us have been faithful, and have testified to the faithfulness of God, we are also to press on with no distractions, but rather “Looking unto Jesus”! And we can only do that when we determine to not be ‘distracted’ and loose our traction—not to loose our footing in the race. And, as the author of Hebrews so clearly reminds us, we are to run “the race that is set before us” with our hearts and minds “Looking unto Jesus”, not being distracted by the race that others may be running or any other distractions around us. We keep our traction by focusing on Jesus and running ‘our’ race in ‘our’ own lane!!!

We can do that all because Jesus is “the author and finisher of our faith”! He brings us to Himself, and He provides all that we need to run the race that HE has “set before us”! So take heart my friends, we serve the God who is able and faithful to supply our every need, if we’ll but keep our eyes ‘fixed on Jesus’! He is our ‘true’ north!

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

He is “the author and finisher of our faith”; He knows where you are today. Look up, press on, and walk forward on your race—with ‘traction’ not ‘dis’tractions! God has a job for YOU—today! Go for it dear one—Go for it!!!

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10

You can do it!!! It’s hardly ever easy:

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”    Philippians 4:19