Looking with Reborn Eyes
A lot has changed since the moment we became Christians, by asking Jesus to forgive us and to become Lord over our lives. We can spend a lot of time contemplating this. Today, however, we will discuss the way we look at certain things; in a completely different way.
Let’s read 2 Corinthians 5:14-17. The essence lies in verse 16 and 17. But verse 16 starts with a “so”, so in order for us to understand verses 16 and 17, we should read verses 14 and 15, as well.
14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:14-17 (NIV)
Died with Christ in order to live for Christ
The author of this letter, Paul, says that he is convinced that Jesus died for all people. This means that all people have died too. In Romans chapter 6, he explains this more elaborately. If you belong to Jesus, then you have died with Him on the cross. Your old self, the one who could only commit sins and live for himself, does no longer exist. That is why Paul states directly after that (in 2 Corinthians 5: 15): “…, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”
Summarized: We have died with Jesus, so that we can forever live for Jesus (and no longer for ourselves).
We now arrive at verse 16. That sentence starts with “so”. We live for Jesus, so…
Looking at each other
We no longer judge one another according to the standards of this world, Paul says. How do people do that, if they do not know Jesus?
Whenever we meet someone, we are quick to label them; he is fat, she is tall, he talks a lot, she looks cranky, he has a high salary, she is wearing a coat that is way too expensive, his car is luxurious, she uses her make-up well, etc. Those are not heavenly standards, but worldly standards; length, weight, worth (in dollars), beauty, and more.
When we belong to Jesus, all those things stay the same, but we no longer judge others for it. God does not have that many standards. God does not look at achievements and shows no favoritism (compare this to Galatians 2:6). What God looks at is: are you starting to look a bit like My Son Jesus? And God wants us to look at each other in that way, as well: can I see Jesus in that other person?
Looking at Jesus
We no longer judge one another according to the standards of this world, Paul says. How do people do that, if they do not know Jesus?
Whenever we meet someone, we are quick to label them; he is fat, she is tall, he talks a lot, she looks cranky, he has a high salary, she is wearing a coat that is way too expensive, his car is luxurious, she uses her make-up well, etc. Those are not heavenly standards, but worldly standards; length, weight, worth (in dollars), beauty, and more.
When we belong to Jesus, all those things stay the same, but we no longer judge others for it. God does not have that many standards. God does not look at achievements and shows no favoritism (compare this to Galatians 2:6). What God looks at is: are you starting to look a bit like My Son Jesus? And God wants us to look at each other in that way, as well: can I see Jesus in that other person?
Looking at yourself
Apart from looking at others and Jesus, we should also take a look at ourselves, once and a while. We can do that by using a mirror. What do we see? Using worldly standards, we could see wrinkles, or more gray hair, or a pimple in the wrong place. But we should also learn to look at ourselves in the manner that God looks at us. Verse 17 states that if we belong to Jesus Christ, we are a new creation. The old is gone, and the new has come!
Let us have the courage to look at ourselves every now and then, in the mirror of His Word.
James 1:23-25 (NIV)
In the mirror of the law of freedom (the law of His love, His Word of love), we shall find no condemnation, no rejection, no pointing fingers, and no negative words. We will see in what areas we can grow, and in what areas we already look like Jesus. If we look carefully, we can see His reassuring eyes resting on us, because we are in Christ. We are a new creation.
