Self-focus or Christ-focus? (5)
2020-11-27Isaiah 58:5 NIV
God never commanded us to become obsessed with examining our emotions, experiences, or sins. What He did say is, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’ (John 1:29 ESV). Victory over sin comes from focusing on Christ – not from beating ourselves up!
In the Old Testament the Israelites reached a place of despair. They’d fasted and humbled themselves, but God ignored their efforts. They searched for spiritual restoration in their own self-directed way, and God rejected it, saying: ‘Is this the kind of fast I have chosen…for people to humble themselves…bowing one’s head like a reed…in sackcloth and ashes? Is that…acceptable to the Lord?’ God’s clearly not pleased with the misery that comes from self-focus.
He has a more effective way to free us. Rather than have us weighed down with remorse, He said: ‘Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice…set the oppressed free…break every yoke…share your food with the hungry…provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not…turn away from your own flesh and blood?’ (Isaiah 58:6-7 NIV).
God’s way eliminates any danger of becoming fixated on self-analysis by commanding us to stop dwelling on our imperfections and get involved in the lives and needs of others. His plan for overcoming our old fleshly natures is: 1) Acknowledge His grace and see ourselves as ‘righteous’ in Christ. 2) Fix our eyes on Jesus. 3) Reject obsessive self-focus. 4) Serve God by serving others. When we do all these things, ‘Your light will rise in the darkness…The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs…and will strengthen your frame’ (vv. 10-11 NIV).