how do you see it?
everyone has a lens through which they see life. like a tinted glass it colors everything they see – their circumstances, their problems, their friends, their family, themselves.
that same lens affects how a person sees God.
some would say, “Well they just need to read the Bible to find out who God is.” while I would agree, I would also know that their lens affects how they read the Bible.
one reads and only finds rules, condemnation, and rejection;
another reads and finds hope, help, acceptance, and grace.
one reads and finds a God who is distant, angry, and guilt inducing;
another reads and finds forgiveness, mercy, and love.
one reads and finds disconnected ancient literature;
another finds personal words of affection and relationship with God.
the lens of your heart will determine who and what you find.
the most religious people in Jesus’ day read the Scriptures. yet what they found was far from life. instead they found rules, laws, condemnation, and ways to oppress people with empty religion. Jesus confronts them with these words…
You diligently studythe Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,yet you refuse to come to me to have life. john 5:39-40
the same Scriptures that were meant to bring life were tainted by the condition of their heart – their lens.
what lens do you look through when you read the Scriptures? do you only find confusion, rules, and condemnation or do you look for hope, life, forgiveness, and love?
Jesus waits there for those who have a lens to see!
Tags: lens
