A 'forever focus' faith
In our church foyer we have a memorial plaque area with the names and dates of members of the church who have passed through the years. My father and mother — who pastored the church for 25 years — are both listed there.
Above the plaques hangs a sign with the words of the Apostle Paul from Colossians 3:1-4 on it: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” This was my Mom’s favorite passage of scripture, and seemed like an appropriate “forever focus” addition over all the names after she passed.
Every time I pass this area, I am reminded of all those loved ones, and the eternal reward they have received because of their faith in Christ. I am also reminded that the promise of this passage that has been fulfilled for them will also be fulfilled for me when my time comes, because of my own “forever focus” faith in Christ. This passage is also increasingly becoming one of my own favorites as I get closer to it’s fulfillment, and also as I sadly observe the decaying culture around us.
On a daily basis I am in communication with someone who shares my sadness at the growing trend of negative news and evident coarsening of moral and ethical values in our society as a whole. Though it may be sad and discouraging, we should not be surprise, as Jesus Himself foretold it: “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other... Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:10-13).
When I battle sadness and discouragement from observing the negative choices people make, and the often even worse consequences they and others around them suffer, I am reminded of Mom’s “forever focus” passage, and am reminded to focus on that promise for myself — and for sharing it with others, for their own temporal and eternal benefit.
What we choose to focus on each day governs the choices we make, and thus the consequences of those choices. The Apostle Paul and the writer of Hebrews added more encouragement for us toward a “forever focus” faith: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal... There-fore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess... Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (2 Corinthians 4:18; Hebrews 3:1; 12:2-3).
A “forever focus” faith means that we set our hearts and minds on eternal things, fixing our eyes and thoughts on Jesus, the “author and perfecter of our faith”. This focus helps us to have God’s perspective on the things of this world, which then puts them all into proper perspective. This in turn enables us to have His wisdom, discernment and grace to deal with them in the best way possible, thus helping ourselves and others. I pray that you will also be encouraged to claim and live in a “forever focus” faith — for your own sake, as well as others!
Pastor Jon L. Pomeroy can be reached at Sandpoint Church of God, 221 S. Division Ave., or by phone at 208-263-6629.