— and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God —
Summary: How we see ourselves is a symptom of a larger problem.
There is something odd about you and me (I am speaking generically here. If you think I am wrong about what I say, please let me know in the comments). Our sense of identity is broken. How we “see” ourselves is not how God intended us to “see.”
When Adam and Eve first disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree, two things happened. One was that their disobedience broke the spiritual connection between themselves (and their decedents) and their Maker. God told them they would die, and they did, spiritually. The second thing that happened was their “eyes” were opened (Genesis 3:5)
The “eyes” that were opened were not their physical eyes but the eyes of their inner self. You might call it the “inner eye” or the “eye of the mind.”
Before they disobeyed, they were not self-aware. Adam and Eve worked in the Garden of Eden, enjoying the blessings of all that God had made for them. There was no need for clothing because the temperature was perfect all the time, and their inner eye operated in harmony with their spirits, which echoed their Creator. They and their God were as one.
When they rebelled, their “eyes” were opened. At that moment, their self-image changed. Instead of seeing themselves through God’s eyes, they saw themselves through the eyes of one who was separated from God. Apart from God, they were suddenly aware of their nakedness (Genesis 3:7).
Like Adam and Eve, we, their children, see ourselves as separate from God. We feel naked in the world no matter how many clothes we put on. We are somehow aware that God sees us as we are, and we feel ashamed. (This is why the worldly deny God. They are really denying that they feel any shame about who they are.)
When God became flesh and allowed mankind to crucify him, he allowed us to strip him naked, shame him and mock him. Everything we fear most was done to Jesus, and yet God still raised Jesus from the grave.
He should have rejected that kind of embarrassment. Jesus should have been left to rot in that cold stone tomb. But God, being Love, raised him up and gave him new life. He showed us the gift that is waiting for us, too, if we believe in His Son.
Our inner eye sometimes wanders. We like to imagine that we “see” ourselves as heroes, doing the right thing and being brave. Sometimes we are. Yet even the best of us have flaws. Even the bravest have fears. Even the arrogant have their moments when they see reality in the mirror.
Before God, we are all naked, naughty children caught in the light of a suddenly opened door. Then we discover that the hand that reaches out to us from the light offers us a gift — new life in God.
Application: There is nothing we “see” about ourselves that God does not already know.
Food for Thought: What do we look like when we clothe ourselves in our own good deeds?
It’s Friday but Sunday coming! Praise God!
GOOD comment this FRIDAY, Jim. Thanks!
To God, I think we appear as a feeble, hypocritical, dirty bum who needs a holy cleansing. Isaiah 64:6.
“All of us have become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf,
and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
— Isaiah 64:6
Thank you, JEC. Isaiah provides us with a powerful image. Our righteous acts don’t add up to much while the impact of our sins becomes like a hurricane velocity wind.
Maybe like a pig with a gold ring and lipstick still covered in our own filth (sin)
Well said, Tim!
JEC went right to where my mind immediately went as well – Isaiah 64: 6. Our works separate from God are as filthy rags. And T – good word picture with the pig with lipstick.
Thanks Rich!
Both you and JEC inspire me with your familiarity with God’s Word. It must be a great comfort to know the Scriptures that well.
What do we look like when we clothe ourselves in our own good deeds?
Probably a court jester.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Chris,
Thanks! 🙂
Interesting metaphor!
But then, I have to wonder, are you jesting??? 🙂
(Which makes me wonder … if a court jester eats something as a joke, is he injesting? )
🙂
03-07-2022, What do we look like when we clothe ourselves in our own good deeds?
Good comments all around!
Luke 16:15, And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.
Revelation 3:17-18, Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
Ron,
Great verses! They actually tie in with our discussion for tomorrow, too! 🙂