Keeping My Eyes on Jesus

I was perusing a social network I belong to and I was curious what one of my friends was up to, so I decided to look them up by name. In a hurried, distracted way, I started typing, and realized I had typed ‘Jesus!’ Then a thought struck me… You may ask me, “Was it me?” or “Was it this person or that person?” and my answer would be, “It should be!” You see, the thought that struck me, was that we should see Jesus first when we think of, or see anyone! The blood of Jesus should wash away any preconceived notions or labels we have about a person, any person. We should view all people through the atonement of Christ’s death and resurrection. That is how God views all of us. He sent Jesus to wipe the slate clean. God offered everyone a fresh start through the blood of Jesus and we should do the same. It is not our responsibility to point out other people’s sin or shortcomings, the Holy Spirit does that. It is our responsibility to love them and accept them. We are to view them through the eyes of God. We are to see them with the new vision that we were given, when we accepted Christ as our Savior. We are to offer the perfect love that is extended to us.

God doesn’t look at us and see ‘sin’ ‘race’ ‘unlovable’ ‘addict’ ‘leper’ ‘sick’ ‘poor’ ‘heretic’ ‘nefarious’ or ‘reprobate.’ Instead He sees those he is calling back to Him, those he created.  He sees ‘purity’ ‘one race’ ‘loved’ ‘free’ ‘unblemished’ ‘whole’ ‘rich’ ‘faithful’ ‘humble’ and ‘pardoned.’

We are to look beyond their sin and see them in their original purpose that God intended for them, no less than he intended for us. When we hold ourselves up to be better than anyone, we are missing the mark of His perfect Love. Perfect Love looks beyond the perceived faults of others. 

When I recall the story of the crucifixion, I remember how the physical veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom and how it symbolized the breaking down of the barrier between God and man. Our ability to approach God became wide open! The partition between God and man was removed. Man didn’t remove it, God did. It was removed by Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. Another type of veil is removed through redemption… the veil of sin is removed from our eyes. The veil of sin skews our vision and by allowing it to be removed, we start to see with the vision of God. Our vision begins to become his vision and little by little, we get glimpses of the world as God intended us to see it, his original purpose. As we grow in maturity, our vision becomes clearer and more expansive, until those we see, are seen through the blood of Jesus. Their frailties, their perceived faults are not seen, their sins are not seen; instead, the chosen are seen, God’s people are seen, his creation is seen, those whom God loves are seen.

Who was I thinking of when I typed that name? Was I keeping my eyes on Jesus while I typed? I honestly believe it was just a distracted mistake, but it did cause me to pause long enough to think and write. Who do I think of when I speak with total strangers? Who do I think of when I call my friends or family members? Who do I envision? Do I see them or do I see Jesus? I need to remind myself to keep my eyes on the Jesus in them or the Jesus that died for them.

And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:9-11

For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Matthew 25:35-36

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:13-14