Perception part 1
I used this memory verse in the last Rant series, but I want to spend a few days to dig into it. 1 John 3:16, "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." "Perceive" being number 1097 in Strong's Greek Concordance and meaning, "A prolonged form of the primary verb; to "know" (absolutely). Allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) known." What we perceive to be true is what is true... to us. Seeing is believing. A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument. Knowing something (with head knowledge) is entirely different from KNOWING something (with heart knowledge). Once you've been through something... it's REAL to you. That's why understanding that the finished work of the cross wasn't just done FOR you, it was done AS you. We are crucified with Christ. His death was our death. That's why (and how) we can lay our lives down for each other, just as He laid His life down for us. In a sense, we've already laid our lives down. We let go of that old life of selfishness so that we can stop letting it drag us down. So that we can walk in newness of life. I've never seen someone be more miserable than when they're focused only on themselves. Because when you're trying to get, get, get--and, listen, I understand that when you think you're lacking something that's all you want to do is fill that lack--but when you're trying to get, you can't enjoy what you already have. You rob yourself of the gift you've been given by trying to get what you've already got. By trying to earn something that can't be earned. If you don't see yourself in the finished work--AS the finished work--then you'll always try to keep changing into something you're not. Now, don't get this twisted, I'm not talking about self-improvement. I'm not talking about doing things that are good for you. Of course we should do those things. I should probably do more of those things. I'm talking about trying to be someone we're not--because we don't perceive oureslves correctly. Until we can look in the mirror, and see Jesus, we aren't seeing things right. And when we look in the mirror and see Jesus, we are changed into that image from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). What you see is what you be. What you believe is real is what is real for you. And, of course, I'm not saying you can "believe" you're a millionaire and then check your bank account. I'm saying you can either believe the lie of the world, or the truth that is God. The truth that is love. Those are your choices. You can either believe that you're not good enough and spend all your time, talent, and treasure trying to work and labor yourself into being good enough... or you can believe that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You can believe that you are who you are supposed to be... you can embrace yourself... and you can BE yourself. Being your best you simply means doing what you were meant to do. In love. Through love. With love. Because of love. Seeing is believing. We have a perception problem, but the cure is love. The cure is letting God love us so we can love Him back by loving each other!