Based on 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 (New King James Version)
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
What was the real problem that was happening with these Corinthians? The most serious matter was that many had already stopped putting their eyes on the Lord. This is what causes division not only in a church, but everywhere, the issue that there are not many with their eyes fixed on the Lord. This is a serious problem that must be corrected in a person if they really want to attain all that God gives. Otherwise, if a person does not have their eyes fixed on the Lord, if He is not the focus of everything in their life, not only will divisions simply continue to occur, but even worse, there will be no salvation. This problem of having the focus on other things or other people is critical and, unfortunately, very common.
The Word of God is very clear on this matter. And this is precisely what makes getting to God very difficult for many, the issue of not staying focused on the Lord. Many say they believe in God, but either they have set their sights on another person, or on other things, or they even set their sights on a generic God, so to speak. The point is that a person must have defined God’s identity for themselves, especially for salvation and eternal life. This is the first thing. Believing in a generic God does not save a person. And it should be very clear that looking to other human beings like us, no matter how special they are or have been, cannot save a person either. According to the Word, there is an exact point, or an exact Person where you should set your eyes, on the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what the Word says: “This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12. The Word of God also says this: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2.
To clear up the issue, we could start with the apostle Paul himself on this matter of following or having our eyes focused only on the Lord, where he said: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1. And this is why Paul admonishes the church, because he himself clarifies that he was neither crucified for them, nor were they baptized in his name. Although the Corinthians owed Paul respect, who was the one who brought them the gospel, in the end they could not set their eyes on him (although ironically and sadly, we read that this church did stray from the Lord and was very ungrateful to Paul, and they even judged him). The other person who said very clearly to do as the Lord commanded was Mary. Although she was chosen by God to be part of the miracle of conceiving the Lord Jesus Christ, she also made it clear that our attention should be on the Lord and not on her, as it is written: “On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.’” Juan 2:1-5. And finally, and the most culminating of all is God the Father's own testimony. This is what the Scriptures attest: “Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!’ When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.” Luke 9:28-36. Although Moses and Elijah were present, and are quite special, God the Father said from heaven that His Son, Jesus Christ, is the one we should listen to. And Moses and Elijah were taken away at that moment, and the Lord was found alone, so that there would be absolutely no confusion or doubt. The Lord Jesus Christ should be the One we follow. We should put our focus on Him.
And finally, this is the heavenly focus in the kingdom of God, as it is written: “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.’ Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!’ And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!’ Then the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.” Revelation 5:8-14. That is why the Lord Himself said this: “…‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6. There is no other way. There is no other place or person where we should have set our eyes on, where we should place all the attention of our being. The Lord Jesus Christ should be the focus of our existence. So, where is your focus? Lord bless! John. Support Israel. Pray for Israel. God will bless those that bless Israel.