Matthew 12-- Reading While Driving

 

A lot of automobile accidents occur because of driver distraction. It's no wonder. I've seen people putting on make-up, talking to kids in the back seat, even reading newspapers while they were driving. Even a short distraction can result in a crash. As we move through life, there are many things that come along that can distract us. Sometimes those distractions come from material things--we get focused on accumulating "stuff" rather than pleasing God. Some times those distractions come in the form of people who oppose what we stand for and want to derail us. Unfortunately, many believers are not well grounded in what they believe. When they are challenged, they either don't know what to say or they give in to the false logic they hear. Jesus is a great example of someone who stayed focused in the midst of opposition and challenges to His ways. In chapter 12, Jesus squares off with the scribes and Pharisees who were the religious leaders of the day. Throughout the chapter, Christ takes these leaders to task for their faulty thinking. Notice two things that Jesus did that kept Him from getting distracted. First, He approached everything from God's view of life rather than man's view. This gave Him the proper perspective. In the first 14 verses, Jesus shows these leaders that people are more important than procedures. They had lost site of the big picture. Next, Jesus understood His mission. He did not allow Himself to get side-tracked by the praises of the crowds (vv 15-21), the opposition of those who perpetuated the status quo, or even His own family (vv 46-50). If we will follow Christ's example of seeing things from God's perspective and staying focused on our mission, then we won't get distracted and end up "crashing" our lives.

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please share this blog with your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

A lot of automobile accidents occur because of driver distraction. It's no wonder. I've seen people putting on make-up, talking to kids in the back seat, even reading newspapers while they were driving. Even a short distraction can result in a crash. As we move through life, there are many things that come along that can distract us. Sometimes those distractions come from material things--we get focused on accumulating "stuff" rather than pleasing God. Some times those distractions come in the form of people who oppose what we stand for and want to derail us. Unfortunately, many believers are not well grounded in what they believe. When they are challenged, they either don't know what to say or they give in to the false logic they hear. Jesus is a great example of someone who stayed focused in the midst of opposition and challenges to His ways. In chapter 12, Jesus squares off with the scribes and Pharisees who were the religious leaders of the day. Throughout the chapter, Christ takes these leaders to task for their faulty thinking. Notice two things that Jesus did that kept Him from getting distracted. First, He approached everything from God's view of life rather than man's view. This gave Him the proper perspective. In the first 14 verses, Jesus shows these leaders that people are more important than procedures. They had lost site of the big picture. Next, Jesus understood His mission. He did not allow Himself to get side-tracked by the praises of the crowds (vv 15-21), the opposition of those who perpetuated the status quo, or even His own family (vv 46-50). If we will follow Christ's example of seeing things from God's perspective and staying focused on our mission, then we won't get distracted and end up "crashing" our lives.

_________________________

Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please share this blog with your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.