WHO ARE YOU IN GOD'S EYES?

[Stephen63]

You folks need to read #1 again. It's about seeing the way God sees. Not sure how anyone can disagree with that. The devotional is focusing on what God has done in Christ to and for us. It is DONE and can't be undone. It's sure and it's a fact. The problem is human issues get in the way when on the other hand.., faith issues can see the forest from the trees.

The sin of unbelief is the biggie.

It is about how God sees us. But God doesn't see us as perfect, yet.

The title & statement of Joseph Prince is wrong, as usual.

We are not perfect. ....We are acceptable.

Phil. 3:12Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

[Grace777x70]

We are perfect now in our spirits where we are joined as one in spirit with the Lord. 1 Cor. 6:17

Hebrews 12:22-23 (NASB)
[SUP]22 [/SUP] But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,

[SUP]23 [/SUP] to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

The Greek word used in Phil. 3:12 means "to be made complete."

In context - Paul is saying that he as not yet attained to display the work and power of Christ yet in his life. He is still having his mind renewed to the truths of Christ and what Christ has done for him. Eventually Paul will also have a new body - immortal just like Christ's body is now.

Philippians 3:10-12 (KJV)
[SUP]10 [/SUP] That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

[SUP]11 [/SUP] If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

[SUP]12 [/SUP] Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

We are not going to attain perfected ( as in being completed ) until we get our new bodies.

As long as we are in this flesh - we will be working out the salvation and life of Christ that is already in us in the new creation which is "in Christ." As we behold the glory/goodness of the Lord as in a mirror - the Holy spirit transforms us to reflect outwardly who we are as one with Christ in our inner man of the heart created in righteousness and holiness.

Having our mind renewed to the truths of Christ and that we are eternally one with Christ is paramount to growing up in Him and maturing in this life in order to display Christ's life of love and grace to others in the world that need to know Him for who He truly is.

 

[prove-all]

What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

-


Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that
the friendship of the world is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world
is the enemy of God.

 

[Preacha24-7]

First of all to say that you are sinners saved by grace is a lie from the pits of hell. Those who are born again are no longer considered sinners. Sinner is past tense which means before you were born again.
Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. who do not walk according to the flesh,
but according to the spirit. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans8:37 We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
1John5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith.
Who is He that overcomes but He that believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
To all those who are in Christ Jesus good overcomes evil.
Jesus conquered death hell and the grave. Man no longer has to fear Satan or death because has defeated both of them for us. Isiaiah54:17 No weapon formed against us shall prosper. And every tongue that rises against us in judgement you will condem. for this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and our righteousness says the Lord.
Revelations12:11 We have defeated Satan by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.
God is greater than Satan so we don't have to be afraid of him because Christ has won the victory! Hallelujah to the King of Kings Amen
To God be the glory,
Preacha24-7 Evangelist to the homeless community (Street Ministry)

 

[DustyRhodes]

Jesus says: do you see what i have done for you, I have given you example that so you also should do...I would hope He looks upon me not only as an image of Christ but Christ in my heart so that I can follow the example of Christ always...all glory to God in the highest...my divine Father.

 

[Depleted]

This is good Lynn. But I do think there needs to be a revelation of just who we are, children of the One True King. That revelation comes from the Holy Spirit, but can manifest itself from a word from a brother and sister.

Once that realization, or revelation comes, and the enemy no longer has the weapon of self-doubt and loathing to beat us over the head, we become truly free to focus our total love on God, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and bringing others to Him.

I am a servant of God. I used to be a housekeeper/janitor/cleaning lady. (All words fit what I did for a living.) How much do you think it would benefit me had I constantly needed assurance that I was doing my job? The reality is I was hired to do a job. Do less than the requirement, and I work for one day. Do the requirement, and 50/50 on if I work more than one day. (I did such a good job for one couple that they only needed me once every other week, rather than once a week. lol) Do more than required, and the customers either expected me to keep up at that level, or they'd refer me to their friends. Constantly ask, "How am I doing," and chances are I'm out the door before I get an answer.

I am the daughter of the Most High. God guarantees that. What is it to keep asking him, "Are you sure?" Are we supposed to have the adoption papers plastered on the wall for easy access, or do we trust our Father to do what he promised to do?

I am all fair to him. Amazing, and yet what am I supposed to do with that information?

Everything God gives us comes with his guarantee. It comes with a purpose. The purpose is always for his glory. And it's even his revelation.

It seems way too often it ends up us focusing on us. He called us for HIS good purposes. HE sanctifies us. HE will glorify us. Meanwhile, shouldn't we be serving, instead of focusing into ourselves?

When the message is constantly "look what God's done for ME," I don't see it as a worthwhile message.

 

[Depleted]

You quote this same thing over & over & over & over.

You use an absolute nobody to make an important statement about theology..... foolish.

Your statements are lies to support your false doctrine.

That scripture wasn't isolated..... all the context surrounded it.

As a matter of fact, it is you who posts the one-verse-wonders that puts false meaning on scripture, yet you blame others for your sins.

Psalm 101:7 He that works deceit shall not dwell within my house:he that tells lies shall not tarry in my sight.

Proverbs 6:16There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
17Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
18A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.

Rev. 21:8“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

If the problem is that he uses a nobody, than who are you to respond? What makes you different than that "nobody?"

 

[Depleted]

Lets not think to highly of ourselves.

How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm? Job 25:6



But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. Psalm 22:6


Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 41:14


But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered. Jonah 4:7

Does any body know what it means by worm? The thought that came to me is something with irrigating the soil.

A worm is what you think a worm is. It's either a long slimy critter from under that soil that eats rotting things and poops it into good soil. OR it's a parasitic pre-larval insect that bores into live vegetation to eat it, which then kills it. (As in the worm that killed Jonah's shelter.) Kind of ew-y critters. Definitely not pleasant to the senses. And, compared to God, yup. That equals how disgusting we are compared to who God is. It's really not supposed to be a flattering visual there.

 

[PennEd]

I am a servant of God. I used to be a housekeeper/janitor/cleaning lady. (All words fit what I did for a living.) How much do you think it would benefit me had I constantly needed assurance that I was doing my job? The reality is I was hired to do a job. Do less than the requirement, and I work for one day. Do the requirement, and 50/50 on if I work more than one day. (I did such a good job for one couple that they only needed me once every other week, rather than once a week. lol) Do more than required, and the customers either expected me to keep up at that level, or they'd refer me to their friends. Constantly ask, "How am I doing," and chances are I'm out the door before I get an answer.

I am the daughter of the Most High. God guarantees that. What is it to keep asking him, "Are you sure?" Are we supposed to have the adoption papers plastered on the wall for easy access, or do we trust our Father to do what he promised to do?

I am all fair to him. Amazing, and yet what am I supposed to do with that information?

Everything God gives us comes with his guarantee. It comes with a purpose. The purpose is always for his glory. And it's even his revelation.

It seems way too often it ends up us focusing on us. He called us for HIS good purposes. HE sanctifies us. HE will glorify us. Meanwhile, shouldn't we be serving, instead of focusing into ourselves?

When the message is constantly "look what God's done for ME," I don't see it as a worthwhile message.

Lynn, I couldn't be happier that you are secure in the knowledge of who you are in Christ, and who's daughter you are. Truly Awesome!!

However, there are a lot of Christians that come here who, although they have accepted Jesus, know He is Lord, God wrapped in flesh, and know He rose from the grave, have either never had the actual revelation that they ARE loved by the Most High, OR, have forgotten, and feel anxious about the lie from the enemy that something they have done has separated them from His Love.

They need to hear, or be reminded of who they are, and I think we as the brethren should lift them up and shout it to them in joy and love!

Having said that, I believe a renewing of your mind to the identity of who you are should not translate to a form of self-adulation. Maybe that is what you are saying?

I do find the notion intriguing that the other Lynn brought up about how John many times referenced how loved he was from Jesus.

Hey. I read a while back you and your husband are struggling a bit with your house. Any update on that?

 

[joaniemarie]

Yeesshhh seriously, some of you are so depressing. And even when there is better than good news to hear, many fight it tooth and nail.

Just heard a message today while driving to look at houses and it went something like this;

Jesus is the Savior., let Him save you... Jesus is the lover., let Him love you., Jesus is the Healer, let Him heal you., Jesus is the Provider, let Him provide for you.,

We are not the SAVIOR, Jesus is and we can't save ourselves. We are not the LOVER, HE IS so we must let Him love us so we can learn to love Him and others. Jesus is the HEALER not us, we can't heal ourselves. Jesus is the PROVIDER., we can't provide for ourselves we can't do anything without HIM.

The sooner we let Him be who He is to us, the sooner we will honor Him with our bodies. The trouble with some of us is we keep getting in God's way. He would and could do so much more IN and THROUGH us but we would not; just like the children of Israel. We are toooooo busy thinking He somehow needs us to BE something for Him to love and care for us.

 

[PennEd]

Why are you so ready to pounce on those who may not completely adhere to your beliefs? It's almost as if you are daring people to knock that chip off.

If you are depressed, that is on you, not on those who would just like to talk about Biblical issues that might differ slightly from your understanding.

How about building up in love?

 

[joaniemarie]

This is an interesting concept. Juxtaposing Peter's profession of love of Christ, to John's constant reference to himself as the Apostle JESUS loved. I think some meditation, and prayer is needed on it, but I'm pretty sure Peter's profession of love came in RESPONSE to Jesus' question about if he loved Him.

Peter, with pride, did say he wouldn't abandon Jesus if others did, but I don't remember him professing love at that time. Did Peter say prior to Jesus' resurrection that he loved Jesus? I'm sure he did love Him but I don't remember him saying it.

Peter had learned his lesson by the time Jesus asked him if he loved Him and to feed MY sheep. That was after the resurrection. Read how Peter didn't boldly declare himself like before to Jesus.

Remember Peter told Jesus before He was crucified how if others wouldn't follow Jesus, Peter said he would even if alllll these others should leave Him, Peter promised he wouldn't.

Remember when Peter and his men went back in fishing even after they were out all night because Jesus told them to cast in their nets again. And then Jesus caused them to get net fulls of fish., Peter said "depart from me I'm a sinful man" Peter still didn't know how much Jesus loved him. Peter just knew he was undone before the Messiah.

John on the other hand is always resting his head on Jesus chest. Major difference. What makes one man secure and the other man undone? I made up my mind I want to be secure not undone, so I believe the Bible when it says I'm loved and provided for by Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep. Greater love has no man than this, that He should give up His life for His friends.

Psalm 23 is for us living today. As are so many other promises in the Bible for us. If we don't believe them we won't see them come to pass in our lives. We get what we believe for.

 

[joaniemarie]

Why are you so ready to pounce on those who may not completely adhere to your beliefs? It's almost as if you are daring people to knock that chip off.

If you are depressed, that is on you, not on those who would just like to talk about Biblical issues that might differ slightly from your understanding.

How about building up in love?

I'm not depressed AND I haven't pounced on anyone. Plus, I don't have a chip on my shoulder either. Just came back to read some of the comments and made a few of my own. Not everyone here was negative. But usually there is a major rift whenever someone talks tooooooo much about the love of God. I think that is a problem. We should freely be able to discuss the love of Jesus without being identified with being a heretic.

That is my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

 

[royalscot]

Hebrews 8: Jesus, High Priest of a Better Covenant

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
8 For he finds fault with them when he says:
"Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah,
9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers
on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
For they did not continue in my covenant,
and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
and each one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more."
13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

looking at a change of covenant would also ask, what is changed

I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,

(cant be the same laws or there would not be an acts 15)


And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
and each one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'
for they shall all know me,

if you all know gods, it must be your over all out look to how you look at your self.

if you cannot understand, that its god that teaches you, by the holy spirit, but not many have touched on spiritual gifts that also need to be taught by the holy spirit. if the wrong foundations are being used you with find it hard to see past the logos word of the bible, it will hard to see anything of your self or what god is teaching you.

 

[Depleted]

Lynn, I couldn't be happier that you are secure in the knowledge of who you are in Christ, and who's daughter you are. Truly Awesome!!

However, there are a lot of Christians that come here who, although they have accepted Jesus, know He is Lord, God wrapped in flesh, and know He rose from the grave, have either never had the actual revelation that they ARE loved by the Most High, OR, have forgotten, and feel anxious about the lie from the enemy that something they have done has separated them from His Love.

They need to hear, or be reminded of who they are, and I think we as the brethren should lift them up and shout it to them in joy and love!

Having said that, I believe a renewing of your mind to the identity of who you are should not translate to a form of self-adulation. Maybe that is what you are saying?

I do find the notion intriguing that the other Lynn brought up about how John many times referenced how loved he was from Jesus.

Hey. I read a while back you and your husband are struggling a bit with your house. Any update on that?

"Self-adulation." Yeah, yeah, that's the ticket.

It feels like that, as post after post for a devotional always seems pointed to "me."

And, I've got nothing over anyone else on feeling comfortable in who I am to God. (Man is to a worm what God is to a man. And yet God sees past ew-worm, to give us something we'd never consider giving to a worm.) After 36 years of being married, I still have no idea what got John to marry me other than a strange sense he doesn't see me like I see me. He's flawed, so that can be true. But God isn't flawed, and he took me 45 years ago. I've got no more idea why now than I did that long ago. BUT with hubby and God, I can take both at their word, so it's easier to accept their word than try and figure out why me?

What would life be like to wrestle that question for this long? I could. Never got anywhere. Usually came back with more negatives than positives, and I don't see as clearly as God sees, so I'm sure his negative list comes in reams, while mine is a pad or two.

What are we supposed to do? Constantly go, "Now, now. God loves you" to keep a person bolstered up to feel it? Or simply take God at his word and then continue on doing what he intended us to do? We've got the contract. (The Bible.) It really did lay out the terms and the terms were met. God was the lead principle on both sides of that contract. We're simply the merchandise bought and the child adopted. Gratitude should be focused on the Master/Father.

If there are any new folks in Christ, they haven't spoken much. The ones questioning "How does God see me" have been believers long enough that it shouldn't be a constant "look what prize I got out of the Cracker Jack box" that it seems to be.

I'm just coming to the realization of a connection. If people think they deserve to be saved by a choice they make, then they keep thinking they deserve more from God. It is the inner reflections of bellybutton gazing. Once we get we never deserved this, then there is more time to go on pleasing he-who-chose-us as a genuine reaction to someone so wonderful.

As for house? It's still in one piece. I cannot believe it has stayed in one piece for so long and not fallen apart. By now it would cost more to fix it than the original mortgage on it. I've got no idea how to afford the repairs needed, but I haven't had any idea how to deal with that since 1998 and it's still standing.

I have no choice but to trust God to take care of it. So far that's working out. Everytime something gets to the point that it has to be handled NOW, we have saved bare-minimum to get it done... or family sends us money for one reason or another. (Dad used to send us money, but can't anymore. My brother just sold Dad's house and sent us a portion of the sale. We just got new doors, and found out new doors can be put in on rotten frames. lol)

 

[Depleted]

Yeesshhh seriously, some of you are so depressing. And even when there is better than good news to hear, many fight it tooth and nail.

Just heard a message today while driving to look at houses and it went something like this;

Jesus is the Savior., let Him save you... Jesus is the lover., let Him love you., Jesus is the Healer, let Him heal you., Jesus is the Provider, let Him provide for you.,

We are not the SAVIOR, Jesus is and we can't save ourselves. We are not the LOVER, HE IS so we must let Him love us so we can learn to love Him and others. Jesus is the HEALER not us, we can't heal ourselves. Jesus is the PROVIDER., we can't provide for ourselves we can't do anything without HIM.

The sooner we let Him be who He is to us, the sooner we will honor Him with our bodies. The trouble with some of us is we keep getting in God's way. He would and could do so much more IN and THROUGH us but we would not; just like the children of Israel. We are toooooo busy thinking He somehow needs us to BE something for Him to love and care for us.

God being God and all, no one can get in HIS way!

 

[joaniemarie]

God being God and all, no one can get in HIS way!

Oh but we can and we most certainly do. In Numbers God told Joshua and Caleb to go and posses the land but the other Israelite's wouldn't because they were afraid of the giants. Caleb and Joshua kept saying let's go, God told us to so let's GO!!! But nope, the majority ruled and although they could have HAD the land they allowed their unbelief to stop them from moving forward. Only Joshua and Caleb were strong in their faith in God and did not fear.

When they tried to encourage the rest they took up stones to kill Joshua and Caleb. They could have HAD THE LAND PROMISED but would not because of unbelief. Just like today when we don't believe the promises and see instead the "giants" in our lives. Years down the road, only Joshua and Caleb remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land years before. So although they could have had the land and it was God's will for them to have it., they would not.

 

[joaniemarie]

And today God will not force us to be blessed by believing. He gives us the instruction and if we don't trust Him but instead go our own way in unbelief He will let us sheep suffer the losses of blessings and live a sub standard Christian life mentally, physically and most importantly spiritually. No consistent joy, peace or security. Yet it's all there for us but we can chose not to take it. We can chose to believe He is not that gracious to give such undeserving sheep such blessings. That is why understanding grace is a major stepping stone in a Christians life.

Jesus already defeated the giants now we just go and claim the land. But many refuse.

 

[Depleted]

Oh but we can and we most certainly do. In Numbers God told Joshua and Caleb to go and posses the land but the other Israelite's wouldn't because they were afraid of the giants. Caleb and Joshua kept saying let's go, God told us to so let's GO!!! But nope, the majority ruled and although they could have HAD the land they allowed their unbelief to stop them from moving forward. Only Joshua and Caleb were strong in their faith in God and did not fear.

When they tried to encourage the rest they took up stones to kill Joshua and Caleb. They could have HAD THE LAND PROMISED but would not because of unbelief. Just like today when we don't believe the promises and see instead the "giants" in our lives. Years down the road, only Joshua and Caleb remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land years before. So although they could have had the land and it was God's will for them to have it., they would not.

Do you have a different version? Because any Bible I've read had God get the Israelites into the Promise Land.

 

[joaniemarie]

Do you have a different version? Because any Bible I've read had God get the Israelites into the Promise Land.

Not sure how to better explain this than I've already done in the previous posts. Joshua and Caleb are great examples the Bible uses clearly but ok, I'll give you another example and I'll make it short. You profess to be a Christian and so let's say for sure you are a believer even though I don't know you except from these CC posts. As a believer who is bought and paid for by Jesus Christ, you have been given such great and precious promises.

You can avail yourself to them by faith and claim those promises for your own and 'lay hold of them' or you can focus on your "giants" in this world. Both choices have their own outcome. You'll get to heaven (the promised land) but how you live your life here on earth will be either by living victoriously overcoming in Christ or being overcome by the things of this world.