Today we begin a new message series called “How God Sees You.” Why is understanding how God sees you so important? It’s important because God’s view of you is accurate, not too positive, not too negative. God sees us just as we are. People however, often have biased views of themselves.
In Greek mythology, there was a handsome youth named Narcissus, who refused all attempts of others to love him. The punishment he received was to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. He spent the rest of his life gazing at himself, unaware of his foolishness and never able to find true love.
Much of popular talk today, both within and outside the church focuses on self-esteem. We are encouraged to believe in ourselves, follow our dreams, always speak highly of ourselves, never to think negative thoughts. God’s Word warns us not to have a too high view of ourselves, nor to love ourselves too much.
Romans 12:3 (NIV) For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Rather than thinking too highly of ourselves, we are to think of ourselves with sober judgment. We are to see ourselves as God sees us, we are to see ourselves based on what God has given us.
In this series, as we grow in our understanding of how God sees us, I believe we will be encouraged to become everything that God wants us to be. As we grow in our understanding of how God sees us, we won’t think more highly of ourselves than we ought, and will be spared the problems that come from pride.
As we see ourselves as God sees us, we won’t think too little of ourselves either. Finally, as we see ourselves as God sees us, it will help us see others as God sees them as well.
Today, my first message in this series is entitled “Forever Loved.” Your worth or value in life is not based on how much money you make, the job you have, where you live or how attractive you may be. Your value and worth come from the fact that God loves you. The value and worth of the people around us comes from the fact that God loves them. When we see ourselves and others as God sees, then we are released to become everything that God created us to be.
This week is Valentine’s Day, which is all about love. How can we grow in love for others? By growing in understanding God’s love for us.
1 John 4:19 (NIV) We love because he first loved us.
May God teach us today about His great love so that we can learn to better love. Today we’re going to look at a passage from Romans 8 to begin learning how God sees you.