Single-Minded Focus on Christ

By Bill Kolb, Retired Pastor of West Division Street Baptist Church, Springfield, MO

Read James 1:8.

Staying focused on Christ during difficult times is no small task.  The audience James was writing to was a vast number of Jewish believers who were scattered abroad due to the persecution they were enduring. They were, in reality, running for their lives. They were living in strange places, with meager rations and not a very bright future. James, in this letter of encouragement, shared, “The difficulties, challenges, and persecutions you are facing are intended to mature you, to help grow in your relationship with and dependence upon Christ.”  Being doubleminded produces uncertainty that touches every area of our lives. It will not glorify God nor make you a stronger or a more joyful believer.  A doubleminded faith is as scattered as the waves in the ocean, unpredictable and everywhere.  It does not work.  It does not have a promising future.  And worst of all, it does not honor God.  

Being doubleminded produces uncertainty that touches every area of our lives.

One of the more memorable college football games in 2023 was the Alabama Crimson Tide versus their arch-rival, Auburn Tigers. If you looked at their records prior to the game, it should have been an easy win for Alabama. As in life, things don’t always go the way they seem they should in a college football game. Alabama does win the game, but it is how they win it that every football fan remembers. 

Alabama did not play their best game. One might even call it “sloppy football.” In the final minutes of the game, they were losing and had to punt the ball. But Auburn’s player misplays the punt and doesn’t catch it, and Alabama recovers, giving them a glimmer of hope. After a few successful plays, Alabama is only eight yards away from scoring the go-ahead touchdown. All the momentum was on their side. And then disaster strikes. First, there was a bad play. The bad play was followed by an even worse penalty. The worse penalty was followed by an egregious bad snap from the center to the quarterback. Alabama went from the eight-yard line with four tries to score a touchdown to the thirty-one-yard line with one try to score. 

In some ways, this is like the Christian life experience. How many times have you felt blessed after attending a church service? The message was just what you needed; the worship was inspiring; the connection with friends was encouraging, and then disaster struck. 

Or maybe it is the darkest of nights, and you feel like storms surround you. You feel as if you are on a life raft in the middle of the ocean, and the raft is taking on water. You are fearful you are about to sink. But in that fearful darkness is Christ, and you remember the words of James, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering,” not doubting.   

The odds-makers tell us there was only a 0.1% chance of success on that final fourth down play. The coach calls timeout and pulls the quarterback aside. He tells him, “Stay in the pocket and give the guys a chance to run to the end zone. Then, I want you to throw the ball all the way to the end zone. You will have five receivers down there ready.” “But coach,” said the double-minded quarterback. “They have seven experienced defenders back there as well.” “Milroe, get out there and throw the ball,” says the coach to his quarterback. And that is exactly what he does. He makes the perfect throw to the corner of the end zone, where Isaiah Bond is waiting to make the perfect catch. Alabama wins the ballgame. 

A reality I learned a long time ago is that we do not control the circumstances of life. But we do know who does. Follow God’s plan in every circumstance. Focus on Christ and His plan, and never doubt, for doubt will destroy. 

Reflective Questions:

1. What are some of the more common difficulties you regularly face? Do you tend to focus on Christ or something else when these difficulties come your way?
2. Who are some biblical examples of God’s servants who lost their focus on Christ? What was their ultimate outcome? 
3. What are the benefits of a single-minded focus on Jesus? What can you do starting today to maintain that single-minded focus? 

Memory Verse:

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” James 1:8

Prayer:

Dear God, by faith, help us to see you in the darkness of difficult times.  Help my life and ministry to have certainty based on who you are. Help me to live a single-minded life, focused entirely on You. 

Related Scriptures:

John 6:66-69, Mark 9:14-27, 2Kings 6:15-17, Hebrews 11:1-6, John 20:24-28, Psalm 23:4, Genesis 6:11-22, Luke 22:31-32