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Fixing Our Eyes Upon Jesus

Fixing Our Eyes Upon Jesus

The Bible directs us to:

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 (Hebrews 12:2 NIV84, emphasis mine).

This is not a rule that we are legally required to obey; it is the wisdom of God for living in harmony with His design laws, how He built reality to operate, the outworking of His methods, character, and principles into reality.

One of God’s design laws is the law of worship, the reality that we become like whatever we esteem, admire, and worship. The Bible describes the law of worship as being changed by what we behold (2 Corinthians 3:18). Modern psychology and psychiatry call the law of worship “modeling”—that is, we model ourselves after whatever we esteem, value, idealize, or, perhaps, idolize.

The Bible gives direct examples of the damage to our being when we worship anything other than God. In Jeremiah, the prophet describes the law of worship: “They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves” (2:5 NIV84). And the apostle Paul details this law in Romans 1:18–32, where he describes how certain men did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God but, instead, exchanged the truth of God for images they made of animals and humans; as a result, their minds became darkened, depraved, and futile.

The Bible tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus because it is only by beholding Him that we are won to love and trust and are transformed in heart and mind to become like Him.

The exchange of the truth about God for a lie is the most devastating and destructive way we can take our eyes off Jesus. But there is another way, a more subtle way, a way in which people keep Jesus as their only Savior, and they would deny any god other than the true God, yet they have still taken their eyes off Jesus and experienced the damaging results. Two examples in the Gospels highlight this and serve as object lessons for us today.

Perhaps the most obvious example is when Peter was walking on water. As long as his eyes were fixed on Jesus, he was able to walk above the storming waves—but as soon as he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. Turning back to Jesus, He immediately cried out to the Savior and was rescued.

The object lesson is clear: When we find ourselves struggling with the storms of life, as long as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can walk over the waves. But as soon as we think we can handle it on our own, as soon as we look to our fellows and say, “Hey, check me out, I am walking on water,” we begin to sink and become overwhelmed with life. And like Peter, when we turn back to Jesus, He takes our hand and lifts us up. However, like Peter, we are now drenched in the stormy waters and will have some cleanup to do.

Another story recorded in Scripture, one that’s a little less obvious, also teaches an invaluable lesson about the increasing anxiety, worry, and fret we experience when we allow innocent life experiences to cause us to forget Jesus and take our eyes off Him.

We find this story recorded in the second chapter of Luke:

Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he [Jesus] was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you” (vv. 41–48, NIV84, emphasis mine).

Mary and Joseph, caught up in the duties of travel, packing, organizing, talking with friends, and trusting Jesus to follow along, took their eyes off Him. They weren’t worshiping another God; they simply allowed daily events to distract them from thinking about Him, from fixing their eyes upon Him for one day. And it took them three days of anxious searching to find Him!

So also, many of us will, at times, find ourselves busy with the duties of life, being dutiful toward our obligations, while never turning our hearts to false gods, but we forget the most important duty of all—and we innocently take our eyes off Jesus, just for a day. And then we find ourselves anxious, worried, distressed, perhaps feeling overwhelmed, and it may take us a day or two or three before we realize why we have lost our peace. Then we remember Jesus, and when we find Him, we may, like Mary, say, “Jesus, why did you let me get so anxious? Why weren’t you comforting me?”

If we are listening, we will hear His gentle voice saying, “Don’t you know I am always doing my Father’s business—seeking to heal hearts and minds and save people from sin? You are anxious only because you took your eyes off me. But I never took my eyes off you!”

Our only hope for health, happiness, peace, success, and victory is Jesus Christ! So I encourage you to make it your daily habit to fix your eyes upon Him! Start each morning in private time with Him, meditate upon His Word, open your heart to Him in prayer, surrender your entire being to Him, invite Him to direct your paths, and trust Him with how things turn out—for it is by beholding Him that we are changed!

 

 

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I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

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I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

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I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

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We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

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I have been watching your videos in The Power of Love seminar and I must say these have liberated me and have improved my relationship with the Lord. I am no longer terrified of him as I was before following your teachings.

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I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

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Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

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Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

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Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA