Our Eyes Must be Fixed on Jesus

Christ Triumphant - A Devotional by E.G. White

Our Eyes Must Be Fixed on Jesus

Today's Text: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

The Message:      Throughout life we will have our conflicts with the powers of darkness and will be obtaining precious victories. Our eyes must be kept fixed upon the mark of the prize. When Joshua went up from the Jordan to take Jericho, he met a majestic Being, and at once challenged Him: "Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?" The answer was "As captain of the host of the Lord am I now come.... Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy." Not Joshua, the leader of Israel, but Christ Himself, accomplished the work of taking Jericho.      These were the lessons continually given the children of Israel. By directing their attention to the God of heaven, Christ taught them not to take the glory to themselves. Let us not cherish self-exaltation. When we begin to think we are something, let us remember that we have nothing different from or better than other mortals, except what God has given us.      When in need, bear in mind our relation to the children of Israel. Their history is clearly traced by the pen of inspiration. We are not to imitate their example of murmuring and repining. God placed upon the lips of Moses no words of condemnation. In this respect they were separate and distinct from other nations.      In accepting the religion of Jesus Christ, many seem to think that they are taking a downward step. These are in need of stepping down from their self-esteem and self-righteousness, and humbling themselves before God. But those who place themselves in connection with the living God, as His sons and daughters, are taking steps upward....      We are to talk of heaven and heavenly things, keeping ourselves in a position of supplication before God. It is not safe for any of us to feel that we are where our feet cannot slip, but we should feel that the ground whereon we stand is holy. Cleanse the soul temple of its defilement, that Christ may come in and reign supreme. By beholding Jesus Christ, we shall grow up into His likeness. The more closely we are connected with Him, the more clearly we shall see our imperfections.... In order to know the power and strength of true godliness, we must hide in Jesus, dedicating ourselves to Him without reserve.... Fully dedicate your strength, your mind, all your abilities, to God. Wherever He places you, however humble may be your position, work with fidelity.-Manuscript 36, 1885.

Commentary: My friend, our strength is only in our connection to Jesus Christ.  He does not need our help, but desires to work with us in the salvation of others.  The work that God has for is well beyond our abilities to do, and unless we are joined together with Jesus in this work, we will fail.  We must learn to distrust ourselves and to trust in Jesus, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;" (Hebrews 12:2). There are so many in the church today that are looking unto a mediator other than Jesus Christ.  Through the false doctrine of the trinity they are have been deceived into accepting another being in place of Jesus Christ as their mediator.  The trinity teaches that the Holy Spirit is a separate being from the Father and the Son, and is the being that connects them with Jesus, and as such introduces to them another mediator.  This goes contrary to the Word of God which says "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" (1 Timothy 2:5). If we are to be transformed into the image of God we must be connected with the One that is the expressed image of God, Jesus Christ the righteous.  It is only by the life of Jesus that we can be saved.  He lived a perfect life that He may give that life to us in place of our own, and we can only receive that life if Jesus Himself is living within our hearts, for it is only as Christ is living in our hearts that we may receive the blessing of His righteousness. (Colossians 1:27).  We are told to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11), which is the righteousness of Christ. My friend, the time of test is fast approaching and we must be found on the side of Christ.  We cannot receive Christ while we are looking at anyone else.  The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ not the spirit of another, and it is by Him that we are saved. May you look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith today. God bless,

Video of the Week Christ's Place in the Godhead - Part 1 of 2 with Daniel Mesa The BRI (Biblical Research Institute) put together a document that was considered by Daniel Mesa. This is part one of two.