“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1-2

We live in a world of distraction. Whether it is smartphones and social media, sports and video games, endless news cycles and controversies on which we must have an opinion, or even the most recent “new” theological movement, our attention is constantly becoming divided into smaller and smaller portions, rendering us overwhelmed and ineffective. In the age of information and mass media, it requires great discipline to intentionally focus on that which is truly important and to tune out all that is not.

While the word of God is by no means one-dimensional, it does have a singular central focus: the Word Himself, Jesus Christ. All of Scripture revolves around the need, the anticipation, the arrival, the life, the death, the resurrection, the enthronement, and the ongoing work of Jesus. In the story of God creating this world to be a kingdom filled with His glory, it is unsurprising that the King takes center stage. All of this can appear to be basic, Christianity 101, and in some ways it is—yet a proper, ongoing, and undistracted focus on this is what gives us a foundation for understanding everything else, not only in the Bible, but in all of life.

This is not pietism—in fact it is the furthest thing from it. A proper focus on Jesus Christ, far from calling us to a life of quiet contemplation and meditation, actually gives us a direction to go in, a mission to accomplish, and the power to do these things. Understanding Christ leads to a life of right action. And it is only with the incarnate reign of the glorified God-man Jesus Christ that we have any foundation for any action whatsoever as Christians, not only in our personal sanctification but in our public endeavors as well.

In an age where we are being pulled in what feels like a thousand different directions, where our attention is being called to controversy after controversy, where we are continually pressured to do the work, pick a side, or sign a statement, it is incumbent on the church to get back to the profound basics, and in so doing be equipped to biblically confront all the complexities of our modern world. Deviating from the foundations will inevitably lead to misapplication and unfruitfulness. The bride of Christ must fix her eyes upon her husband and from there learn how to walk in a manner worthy of His name.