Singleness of Purpose

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. Matthew 6:22.
This says, “thine eye,” not some other person’s eye. The rich experience that it is our privilege to have, we lose when we expect someone else to do our seeing for us, and guide us in our spiritual experience as if we were blind. We must have a single eye to God’s glory, a single and persistent purpose to leave self and the preferences of others out of the question, not asking, “If I take this course, shall I increase my personal possessions, or shall I decrease them?”
Great simplicity must be cherished by those who seek wisdom of God. Then their feet will not slide. “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.”
A person who truly loves and fears God, striving with singleness of purpose to do His will, will place body, mind, heart, soul, and strength under service to God. Thus it was with Enoch. He walked with God. His mind was not defiled by an impure, defective eyesight. Those who are determined to make the will of God their own must serve and please God in everything. Then the character will be harmonious and well-balanced, consistent, cheerful, and true.
“But if thine eye be evil,” if you study selfish purposes, and work only to that end, the whole character is defective, the whole body is full of darkness. Such do not look to Jesus. They do not behold His character, and they are not changed into His image. The spiritual vision is defective, and the way from earth to heaven is darkened by the hellish shadow of Satan. So Satan is pleased to have it, for he can lead that person blindfolded to ruin.
“If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” The conscience is the regulative faculty, and if people allow their conscience to become perverted, they cannot serve God aright. Their object in life shows to the world whether they are Christians or in rebellion against God. Their whole life is a failure. It is distorted and double, and all the faculties are misdirected. The profession may be all right, but the faith is perverted, and this is revealed by the practice, which misleads others. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”—Letter 128, 1897 (Manuscript Releases 13:154, 155).
Christ Triumphant p. 64
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Prayer Requests
—–My coworker Cindy’s cousin Renee is getting a heart transplant today. Please pray. Wanangwa
—–Please pray for James who contracted MRSA from shoulder surgery and is in ICU. Jamie
—–Please pray for Esther. She is allergic to something that is giving her an itchy rash on her face and neck. Rose
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, we took a drive to Oklahoma so Ronnie Jay could take some photos of the animals and birds of the place. He really wanted some pictures of an armadillo. Most people consider that creature to be a pest and unworthy of notice, but he finds them fascinating. In reality they are helpful as they eat many harmful insects.
An armadillo has very sharp claws, but its armor is its greatest defense. When alarmed, it will jump into the air to surprise its enemy or run away if it can, but some armadillos can roll up in a ball like the tiny pillbug. However, most of the time they have so much confidence in their armor that they just go about their business no matter what is happening around them. Ronnie Jay did not alarm in the least the three armadillos he photographed. They stopped and looked at him briefly then continued on looking for food.
Jesus says to us as He said to His disciples of old, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt 28:18-20 We can learn a lesson from the lowly armadillo. No matter what distractions the enemy of souls throws around us, we must continue with that great commission given to us by our Dear Saviour.
Peter warns, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 The evil one will attempt to sidetrack us, but we must not allow his temptations to get us off track. I have heard it said that when John Wesley was asked what he would do if he knew he would die that night, he replied that he would do those things that he had already planned to do that day. What a good way to live—perfect confidence that he was doing God’s will in every aspect of his life, perfect trust in his relationship with his Lord.
Paul reminds us, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” In view of that fact, he urges us to “take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance.” Eph 6:12-18
May we put on that armor each day that we may work for the Master no matter how the devil tries to distract us is my prayer.
Rose