A New Perspective
One definition of Perspective is “the state of one’s ideas, the facts known to one, etc.”
My definition of perspective is simple- Perspective is how we view things.
Over time, our perspective will change. Experiences, people, knowledge etc will all impact our perspective.
But, here is the point- As Christians, it should be our mission to see things through the eyes of Christ. We should strive to gain a new perspective of the world, His perspective.
Lately, I have been blessed with a new perspective. God has really been trying to show me something through the death of my mom. As difficult as this time has been, I have sought to understand more clearly God’s purpose in this event. I know that ultimately this event will bring Him glory and I hold fast to the promise of Romans 8:28-
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
The new perspective that I have gained mainly focuses on death. Death is a terrible thing in the eyes of the world, but how does it look to Christ? How should death be viewed as a Christian? I mourn the loss of my mother, but as the old cliche goes, she is in a better place.
This perspective was reinforced in me recently while reading through 2 Corinthians 5. Specifically verses 6-10.
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
The new perspective is this- to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
To look at death from this perspective is not always easy, but it has provided me comfort.
As i consider this new perspective that I have been blessed with, I wonder about seeing all things as God sees them. The next few subjects are particularly convicting because I know that I do not always view things from the right perspective.
Consider people-
How do we view people?
Do we view people as the world views them or as God does?
The world views people based on how they look. Just think about how many opinions you form about someone based on how their appearance. When I think about it, I am convicted to the core.
The Bible makes it clear how we should view people- Consider 1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel,<sup value="(A)”> “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance,<sup value="(B)”> but the LORD looks on the heart.”
Do we see people as the Lord does? Do we look at the heart?
I can honestly say that this is a struggle for me
Consider truth-
Do we believe truth is relative or absolute?
Do we even believe truth exists?
The world denies the existence of truth OR claims that truth is relative.
The Bible stands in direct opposition to this perspective on truth. Truth is pretty straightforward from a Biblical perspective. Truth is absolute, and the Bible itself is truth because it is the Word of God.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
In closing, I would encourage you to examine your current perspective. Consider how you view people and truth, but also consider other topics. Perspective applies to all things. Relationships, Worship, God, Faith, etc.
– B
But Seek First 