Yes. Yes we are. And when we look at ourselves with eyes that do not see… that’s all we see. We look at our words, our behaviors and, minimally, become very embarrassed. But this is not how God looks at us. He could… He’s not blind. But He gives us one way and only one way to not be seen in all our unrighteousness – He looks at us, when WE accept Jesus as our only Lord, through Jesus’ eyes.
Quite honestly, I still have problems getting my head around the fact that Jesus’ sole reason for laying aside His divinity and choosing to become a man, die on a cross for everyone’s sins, and rise again – defeating death and FOR ME! Because at some point, though Jesus did this for all, each of us has to realize that if you were the only one… Jesus would still do this if only for YOU. It’s never the how this was done, it’s the undeniable, indisputable fact that despite everything… He did. So looking at ourselves, we are undeserving, unworthy. But when we accept His GIFT of salvation, we can no longer see ourselves this way we must look at ourselves and others as He does. Ephesians 2
“And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins, in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], (v 1-2) …
But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us, even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment). (v 4-5) …
For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. (v 8-10)
And because of Jesus you have a reason to boast… NOT of yourself but of the One who saves, and in the greatest exchange ever, transferring to us His worth. And I believe we all have the responsibility to share this with others – helping them to accept the Lord’s grace and mercy so that they too can become workmen, deserving and worthy. At some point we can no longer look through eyes of yesterday, prior to salvation, but begin to look through eyes that see that we have been given so much. And He tells us that we have been blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing
“… Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ, just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ.”
[Ephesians 1:3-4]
I think some new Christians get tired or scared or upset or confused because they apply this to earthly, secular areas. Without growing in who we are in Christ, we can. One of the greatest understandings is found when we apply Jesus’ teaching:
“Take careful notice: an hour is coming, and has arrived, when you will all be scattered, each to his own home, leaving Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]” (John 16: 32)
Sometimes we forget that our home is not here on earth. We are here for only a short period of time. We are told to place our treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21) not on earth. When we understand this and act on it we move from yesterday to now, from undeserving, unworthy to a new creature created IN Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) and imbued with all that is necessary for an abundant life.
