Through the Spectacles of God

 Through the Spectacles of God                                                

 In today's cultural views, it can be hard to navigate through the rights and wrongs, the moral and immoral, ethics, and social norms. There are some decisions that seem obvious when being a follower of Christ, yet another follower will disagree. This can create a lot of division within the body of believers. I was discussing a view with a person the other day, and we were on different sides of the spectrum regarding the subject. Many Christians will say in this situation you simply need to love them. But what does that mean? Is it watering down the truth of God's love or possibly saying things like, “God loves you the way you are,” and then smiling and continuing to another topic? Is this the way we should display God's love? Most of us would say, “no,” yet we find ourselves saying, “yes” when we get into these situations. I'm generally not a confrontational person, and I choose to avoid situations that lead to heated confrontation. But what I have found is that God does give us a way in the gentleness of confrontation by leading people to the Bible and discovering together how God views the subjects that we view differently among one another. Taking the time to do that with a brother, sister in Christ, or a non-believer in Christ is the true way to show and teach the love of Jesus. As God's ambassador, we must not just point out sin to others and then use scripture as the nail in their coffin, but rather we must first experience firsthand God’s perspective on how we live our personal life and then apply it in all that we encounter and, most importantly, who we encounter it with. First, we need to be very cautious when it comes to giving “our” opinions and where the opinion originates. Then, secondly, how we give it to the person we are sharing it with. Take them to it; don't just give it to them. Let’s encourage one another to put on the glasses of Jesus with others so you both can focus on His Father's instructions together.

2 Timothy 2:15

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Corinthians 10:5

and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture people's thoughts and make them obey Christ.

Colossians 3:16-17

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”