A Different Lens

People tend to see events, situations, and people through the lens of their culture. In the latter half of the twentieth century, psychological theories entered western cultures. One belief that took root is that people are good at their core, but trauma and relational wounds left scars that obscure the goodness in them. Once healed, people could love themselves and others. People need understanding, acceptance, time to heal, respect, and a hand up.

Christians use a different lens. They believe that sin separates people from God that results in fights, jealousy, selfishness, drunkenness, and immorality of all kinds (Gal 5:19-21). No one is good but God. Faith in Christ and confession of sin establishes a relationship with God. Jesus heals believers of the ravages of sin as they worship him, feed on Scripture, proclaim the gospel, forgive those who wrong them, and love and serve others. Believers see their past in the rearview mirror. They see themselves and others through the eyes of the Savior who loves them. Praise the Savior, Jesus Christ!

Today we more often hear that people make mistakes or make wrong choices. Sin is not fashionable. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. It is by grace you have been saved (Ephes 1:4-5).