Focused on Christ

When Jonathan Goforth sailed from Canada for China in 1888, he was fulfilling God’s call to go into the world with the Gospel. But when he arrived, he quickly encountered a series of obstacles.

Some told him to change his Gospel message. In fact, he was advised not “to speak of Jesus the first time when preaching to a heathen audience.” He was told that his audiences would be closed-minded and needed a different message.

But Goforth felt he could not compromise. He told his critics that he could not deviate from declaring the simple message of “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

Goforth brought that same commitment to audiences large and small in China, but also in neighboring Korea and Manchuria. There were occasions when he spoke to as many as 25,000 people at a time. But he also was willing to speak to individuals and small groups.

In fact, Goforth pioneered the strategy of “open-house” evangelism. He would invite visitors to into his own home, and these gatherings became the subject of great curiosity. Tucker commented that “he preached an average of eight hours a day, and during a five-month period some 25,000 people” came to visit his home.

People felt that Goforth and his wife, Rosalind, treated visitors like friends. Because of their openness and concern for others, many were converted.

Like Goforth, Paul desired to avoid distractions and focus on Jesus. He told the Corinthians that he did not want to become bothered by secondary things. All he really wanted to know was “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”

Today, ask God to search your heart, and make sure that you are not distracted by the things of this world. Dedicate yourself and your resources to God and His Kingdom. Make serving Him your highest priority.