As I sat at my desk this morning, I was taken back to a thought that often comes to mind.
I find in scripture a focus repeated over and over again. Keep your eyes on Jesus! I was reminded of Hebrews chapter 12. Looking unto Jesus...
Suppose that I am shooting at a target. If the aim of my rifle is just a fraction of a degree off of the center of the target, the impact of my bullet will be inches, feet, or even yards form the intended target depending on the distance the bullet has to travel. For every foot it travels, it will be just a bit further off, and this will continue until the target is missed altogether.
There are many things that can become the focus of my attention. When my attention is on anything other than Christ, I will miss Him. It is glaringly obvious that if I make secular entertainment the central focus of my attention, then I will find myself missing the mark of solid relationship with Jesus Christ. But it is usually more subtle than this.
Jesus wants to be the center of my focus, of my aim spiritually. Lets suppose that eschatology becomes the center of my focus. My study of scripture, my walk with God, can come to center around refining my particular view of the events surrounding His return. I think in my mind that I am focused on the Lord, when really I am just a half degree off the target. I am in effect a half bubble off plumb, and the result will be a building that is out of square, shaky, and weak.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
There is nothing wrong with studying or discussing eschatology. There is nothing wrong with studying or discussing false doctrines where we see them. There is nothing wrong with studying or discussing anything we find in scripture, but we must be very careful that these things do not become the focus of our lives. We must keep our eyes focused like a laser on Jesus. It is Him through whom we have covenant. It is Him through whom we have right relationship with God. It is intimacy with Him that will carry us. It is our relationship with Him that is the one thing. It is Him that the Bible reveals to us. He is the center of it all. We must take care that we do not misplace our focus, even a half bubble.