Few things are more dangerous than “distracted driving”. How many accidents are caused by the driver talking on their phone instead of paying attention to how they’re driving?

Jesus warned us against many such distractions: troubles, persecutions, the worries of this life (for example, what shall we eat? what shall we drink? what clothes shall we wear?) and the deceitfulness of wealth (storing up wealth on earth where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, and death). (Matthew 6:19,25-33; Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 12:13-21).

The Apostle Paul warned us about another distraction that is prevalent today:

devoting yourself to “things that promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—that is by faith. The goal of this command is love which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk.” (1 Timothy 1:6).

Sadly, many of us are still asking distracting questions such as: when will the kingdom be restored to Israel, and related distracting questions such as whether and when there’ll be a Rapture, and the existence and nature of UFOs and extraterrestrial life?

The answer Jesus gives us is still the same as when the disciples asked him such questions after his Resurrection: “It is not for you to know the times and dates that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses [everywhere].” (Acts 1:6-8).

Before his resurrection, Jesus responded to similar questions by telling us to watch for signs of his coming. What would these signs be?

Various disasters and catastrophes. Yet these are only the “beginning of birth pains”. (Matthew 24:8).

Most of these disasters and catastrophes are outside our control. But three key things are within our control.

—preaching the gospel (Matthew 24:14);

—following the gospel (Matthew 24:45-51); and

—being full of the Holy Spirit at all times and in all circumstances (Matthew 24:36-44; Matthew 25:1-13).

One thing is essential to avoid. Do not be deceived (Matthew 24:4)!

How do we avoid being deceived? Not by devoting ourselves to things that promote controversial speculations, but by devoting ourselves to expressing our faith in love.

Follow this command found in Hebrews: “[F]ix your thoughts on Jesus.” (Hebrews 3:1).

Avoid distractions. Avoid speculations.

Instead, “”press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13).

By focusing on the Way of Jesus, we avoid distractions that deflect us from expressing our faith in love.

A similar point was made in this story told by my Sunday School teacher (Mrs. Ellis) at Clarkson Community Church.

Two men were seated by each other on a plane. One of them shared that his job was detecting counterfeit currency. The other man said, “You must spend lots of time studying counterfeit currency.”

The expert said, “Not at all. Exactly the opposite! I spend my time studying the actual currency. That way, if I see counterfeit currency, I immediately see there’s something wrong with it.”

Similarly, to avoid being deceived, study the actual life and words of Jesus. Put his words into practice. In this Way of Jesus, you will escape the wrath of God. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

As Jesus assured us:

“[E]veryone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the wind came, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25).

And as Paul assured us:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or sword? . . . .

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39).

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

How do you express your faith in love?

How do you avoid being deceived?

READ MORE

For related thoughts, please read my blogs “Wishful Thinking: No Calories from Birthday Cake”; “Juneteenth: Harriett Beecher Stowe Writes Uncle Tom’s Cabin”; “Juneteenth: Harriett Beecher Stowe Prophesied Doom for America”; “Juneteenth: Frederick Douglass Denounces America’s Hypocrisy”; and “Distracted Driving”.

For my skepticism about applying Revelation to specific events, please read the chapter “The Future” in my book Lighting the World, at pages 157-166, especially where I discuss John Cotton applying Revelation to events that had recently happened when he lived, at pages 158-159.