Looking Through God's Eyes (2)

Last week we saw that God doesn’t always see people and things the way we see them. The list of people God has spoken to, saved, and used for good seems unlikely, not the people we probably would have chosen. But God often sees good where we only see bad and sees bad where we only see good. So, let’s learn a few things from this…

Learn…
God can, and does, use those around us who are not perfect. We all have a past, a past that can and IS forgiven in Christ. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

Don’t Learn…
This is NOT suggesting that one can remain in sin and still please God. Scripture says, “such WERE some of you…” (1 Cor. 6:11). Don’t learn to do evil from others – even those in Scripture who rebelled and sinned.

Learn…
You are NOT useless! Sometimes we excuse ourselves because of weakness or sin. We tell ourselves that we can’t change, that God wouldn’t want us or be able to save and use us. No matter who you are or what you have done, if you will turn to God He can change and use you. The Lord reminds us, “…my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Don’t excuse yourself from serving our Lord – others like you have changed, you can too!

Don’t Learn…
This is NOT saying that sin is unimportant. Some say, “I’m only human” to suggest that their sin isn’t so bad. Some lean on personal or situational weaknesses as an excuse for remaining weak or inactive in their service to God. Each person in Hebrews chapter eleven had to decide to do the will of God despite sin or challenges. We know their names because of how they responded. How will YOU respond?

Learn…
Each of us is made in the image of God. We may mar our pure spiritual nature with sin and excuses, but if we will open our eyes we will find that God is not so far from us that we cannot reach out and find salvation and usefulness in His son, Jesus Christ. We need to stop writing ourselves and others off and start looking for salvation, forgiveness, and value by looking through the eyes of God at everything and everybody.     dd