By: George Zellar
Matthew 6:19-24
“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness” (Matt. 6:22-23).
We need to return to the simplicity that is in Christ and have the proper focus and goal. The single eye refers to single-minded devotion, single undivided loyalty. The heart’s eye is fixed on Christ alone, and thus the body is full of light.
An Olympic athlete has a single focus. His eye is on one thing and one thing only. Suppose you were to question an Olympic athlete. His answers to every question would be the same: Why do you lift weights? “GOLD!” Why are you so careful about your diet? “GOLD!” Why do you get up so early in the morning? “GOLD!” Why do you train for hours a day, year after year? “GOLD!” Why are you willing to subject your body to hardships even to the point of painful exhaustion? “GOLD!” Why do you deprive yourself of many of the niceties of life that other young people your age enjoy? “GOLD!”
So also the focus of the blood-bought believer ought to be just as singular: Why do you wake up early to have prayer and devotions? “GOD!” Why do you spend quality time in God’s Word? “GOD!” Why are you temperate in all things? “GOD!” Why are you not moved by the trials and hardships of life? “GOD!” Why are you willing to say “NO” to self and deprive yourself of many things that others enjoy? “GOD!” Why do you eat and drink and do all that you do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31)? “GOD!”
David had a single eye. He was focused on only one thing (Psalm 27:4). Likewise Paul: “This one thing I do” (Phil. 3:13-14).
George W. Zeller has served on the staff of the Middletown Bible Church for more than 40 years. He is a graduate of Grace Theological Seminary where he studied under Dr. John Whitcomb. He has written numerous Sunday School lessons, Bible study materials, doctrinal booklets, and various papers on a wide range of Biblical topics. These studies are accessible at www.middletownbiblechurch.org.
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