When God looks at you what does he see?
Because of Easter, when he looks at you he sees Jesus. Similar to the way a coffee filter keeps the grounds out of the coffee. I realize that is a poor analogy but Jesus is the filter through which God can look upon us. God, being perfect cannot look upon sin. At the time of Jesus death on the cross, he took upon himself the sins of the world.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, by faith, we become (spiritually) covered with the blood that he shed upon that cross. That precious blood is the filter. We are all descendents of Adam according to the Scripture and therefore posses a sinful nature. We haven’t done anything to earn it except to be born.
God has the ability to know all things that will ever happen. He knew before he created Adam and Eve that they’d mess up, not because he would cause it to happen. He just knew them! He knew the human will that he had given them; what their choices would be and what choice they would make. Perhaps one may say that He knew he would need a back-up plan. That back-up plan was Jesus.
Much like Adam and Eve we exercise our human will. Our actions cause a reaction in time and space. If I use an old rope to hoist a piano up 5 stories and the rope breaks just as a child is walking beneath it, did God cause that child to die? No, I did by using an old rope. It would have been my choice to purchase a new rope or use the old one. Did God know from the beginning what choice I would make and what the outcome would be. Yes. Why God would not have stopped me /or/did he try to stop me is another discussion altogether.
The point is that we will sin. That sin (missing the bull’s eye of perfection) is what separates us from God whom is perfect. Because of his perfect nature He is unable to look upon/be a part of sin. Knowing all of this, God made a way for us to come to him. Jesus, the only Son of God also being without sin would need to die in this sinful world to provide the only way for us to freely come into the presence of this perfect God who loves us more than we will ever be able to comprehend.
When we look at ourselves in the mirror we either blow our flaws way out of proportion or we over minimize them. A simple zit may in your mind distort your entire face. A slight bulge may ruin your entire figure, no matter what outfit you put on. On the other hand you may be the only one that thinks you look perfect no matter what flaws are quite visible.
God sees us as we truly are. His assessment of us is quite accurate! I am so glad for Jesus. I do my best, and just like you I fall quite short of the person I could be. But, that’s ok with God. He knows that I’ve accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and that I’m trying to be more like him. The Holy Spirit is my helper and while I may never reach my goal in this lifetime – I will reach it!
My salvation through faith in Jesus doesn’t mean that I may do as I please. I am responsible for my thoughts, words and actions. My salvation means that when I realize that I sinned (again) I can and may go to Jesus confessing what I’ve done, thought or said and He will forgive me. That forgiveness cleans me not leaving even one spot. Then I know that I can go to my Heavenly Father and he will wrap his loving arms around me and tell me how very much he loves me.
Easter means much more than this. Some may feel I’ve over simplified while others are scratching their heads because it’s all new to them. I’ve been trying to take the middle by giving a start to those who have no prior understanding of the purpose of Easter, as well as giving some food for thought to those who have understanding.
Perhaps what you've read here is new information. Below are some Bible verses that may answer some of you questions, even my e-mail address. Ask you questions, I'll be happy to answer you.
Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior is not difficult. God wanted it to be so simple that even a child could come to him. The Scriptures say:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16