Seeing from God’s perspective.
In the next few weeks, I want to share about fresh perspective. How does Jesus look at challenges? How should we see and perceive life and all the challenges we face?
Recently I attended a pastors’ conference and the speaker said something that really hit the spot. Bishop Wellington Boone had us all out of our chairs but the one thing that got my attention was when he said: “We must see things from heaven's perspective.”
It is such a simple phrase but so profound. I have been meditating on this for a few weeks. We all know that we will live for eternity. Our life on earth is but a dot on a never-ending line. God is eternal and we are created in his image. Scripture tells us that we will live forever.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whoever should believe in Him will not perish but have EVERLASTING life.
Also Read 1 John 2:17, John 10:28, 1 John 5:11-13, and John 17:3.
So how do you prepare for that everlasting life? If you understand that your time on earth is preparing you for eternity, would you do anything differently?
What will change in your life today if you start thinking and living with eternity in mind? Growing up we lived with eternal expectations. Most of our songs in Church were about heaven. Songs about how glorious it would be when we see Jesus. We sang about how we will worship him for all eternity. Our theology was based on spending time in his presence because of what he did on the cross of Calvary. The Old Covenant people had the same point of view. Abraham saw himself as a sojourner. He was looking for a city whose maker and builder was God – Heb 11:9-10. Job had the same expectation – Job 19:25.
Somehow the cares of the world and the business of making a living have robbed a lot of believers of this expectation of hope. Most people are just trying to survive from day to day. What is the problem? We have replaced our purpose for living. We want “longevity” instead of purpose. We will do anything just to live longer. The Bible promises us seventy to eighty years. But is that our purpose?
What is my purpose?
Rom. 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
The truth is: Before God created you, he purposed you. You were created for something much greater than just a long life. Paul tells us after stating that we are called according to His purpose. His purpose is for us to be in the likeness of Jesus. Hold on. How will He make me like Jesus?
Rom. 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
The book of Psalms says that he knew us before we were formed in the womb. If God knew you then, then he must know your purpose for what He created you for. If he knows your purpose, then He knows what you will need to fulfill that purpose. It is like building a car for the purpose of transporting people. You know that the car will need gas to fulfill its purpose. So, you make sure you supply and use what the car needs to transport people. What does God use to help us reach His purpose for us?
What does scripture teach us? Adam and Eve would have lived in eternal bliss if they never sinned. The Garden of Eden did not come without its challenges. God put a man in a perfect place yet gave them some parameters. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil had a purpose. Adam and Eve should avoid it and in doing so they would be overcomers. A temptation is a tool the enemy use, but God also uses it for our good. Like one preacher said: “you can’t have a testimony without a test.”
We must ask ourselves if it is okay for God to use whatever is needed to make us like Jesus. The answer is yes.
Because of his purpose for you, God promises to use all the things you will ever face and make them work together for your good. I have young people tell me: “I don’t know my purpose.” You don’t know the scripture and that is the reason you feel lost. To reach that goal, God does two things.
First, He gives us the Spirit to intercede on our behalf, according to the will of God.
Rom. 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
It is impossible for the Holy Spirit to ask God for anything that will not benefit you. That is our guarantee, The Spirit knows the will of God for your life. God does not tempt anyone, nor can he be tempted, but challenges and temptations are all part of the process God can and will use to conform you to His image. Temptation is the test; overcoming is your testimony.
He also gives us a second promise.
Rom. 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
He is able to use whatever the enemy brings to you for your good. James helps us see it from the heavens' perspective.
James 1:2 Count it all JOY brothers when you fall into various kinds of trials (temptations), knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
God is using the temptations you face as a test. Next week we will look at this again.
Bishop Boone told the story of him and a friend that played golf. On the green Bishop took out a gold coin (Kruger Rand) and marked his ball.
Pastor: “How much is that coin worth?”
Bishop: “It is a ball marker.”
Pastor: “But how much is it worth?”
Bishop: “It is a ball marker.”
Pastor: “Yes but how much is it worth.”
Bishop: “This coin does not give me value; I give it purpose.”
Temptations and things you are facing daily do not determine your value, it comes so you can give it purpose. Your value is not determined by what you face, it is determined by the way you respond to the things that you face. What you are facing is showing you what value God is placing on your character. He gave the Spirit to pray for you and use what you are going through to work out for your good.
When we see things from God’s perspective, trials and temptation become opportunities for growth and reward.
I love what scripture says about David.
Acts 13:36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption.
We all know the things David faced. Everything worked out for his good. When he fulfilled all the purposes God had for him in his lifetime, he died.
I pray that you will begin to see from heaven's perspective. Let’s make ourselves ready for eternity, learning in this life to be more than overcomers – Rom 8:37.