FOCUS FOR IMPACT (2)

“But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God” – Luke 9:62

There can be no fitness for God’s Kingdom without FOCUS for IMPACT: “But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God” (Lk.9:62). Today’s meditation text highlights the importance of unwavering commitment to following Jesus, prioritizing His Kingdom above all else, even personal comfort or family ties. We must be fully focused on His purpose, leaving behind distractions and delays. Kingdom First, Prioritizing Jesus, and Forward Focus, rather than looking backward, are key aspects of the Cost of Discipleship.

Kingdom First: True discipleship requires unalloyed commitment and a willingness to leave behind the familiar and mundane: “If then you were raise with Christ, SEEK those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. SET your MIND on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col.3: 1-2). This calls for a SEEKING heart and a MIND-SET adjustment that comes by revelation! Our primary FOCUS should be on GOD’s KINGDOM, and our actions should reflect this PRIORITY: “But SEEK FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mt.6:33).

Prioritizing Jesus: We are challenged to place JESUS FIRST above all other commitments and desires, including family and comfort, and to respond to His Call with single-minded devotion and direction – with a whole heart, ready to leave everything behind and follow Him wherever He leads. Our Lord addressed the limits that each of the three would-be, “almost-followed” disciples placed on his faulty commitment. Each “volunteer disciple” offered to follow Jesus, and He responded accordingly, but there were exception clauses on each person’s promise to follow. We are not told if each ultimately followed Christ!

The first appeared to be a simple and unlimited commitment of an unconditionally volunteer: “I will follow You wherever You go” (v.57). This was put to the test and shown to have no depth. The other two exemplified “delayed commitments”: one seemed to have an emergency that came “first,” which would delay his commitment (vv.59-60); the other appeared to be ready to follow, but just wanted to say good-bye to his family “first” (vv.61-62). In each instance, none said anything about NOT following Christ. What they were talking about was following Him “when,” “if,” and “after.”

We must begin to recognize those things – legitimate but not expedient – that rival and hinder our commitment to Christ; those things we love more than Him, which undermine true discipleship. We cannot make worthwhile advancement or God-glorifying Impact looking back or bowing to conflicting commitments. Providing for our family is scriptural and commendable (1Tim.5:8). However, self-indulgence that turns the family into a sacred cow, would be a vice, relative to devotion to Christ. Anything that competes with Christ for our loyalty is a potential idol!