“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. I Corinthians 13:12
My days are surrounded by what I see. That’s profound, huh? My drive to work this morning was blessed by the view of God’s design in this morning’s sunrise. Strokes of pink stretching in all directions across the eastern sky. Fields of tall grass going to seed danced in unison to the morning breeze as the new sun accented their bronze tips. The joy of time spent with my boys, talking about God’s attributes. The mile-long river of red lights before me while I sit in traffic. If I didn’t know any better – it all seems pretty real to me. But what is real? There’s no doubt those things are real, but God suggests that what I see in myself and others may not be as real as they appear.
If what He says is true (and I believe it to be so), then what we see cannot be what we always believe. “We live by faith, not by sight.” II Corinthians 5:7
Here’s what I do know . . . I know that God is Supreme, always and forever! I know that I am not Him! I also know that He created us to have fellowship with Him, regardless of our circumstances. I know too, that our ability to understand Him completely is limited by the inability of our flesh (bodies). Even so, I know that within me lives God Supreme through His Spirit and that because of Him abiding in me, Christ then lives through me! Therefore, I am a NEW creation and that this is who I am — my life is Christ.
This means that my mind is of Christ, my heart belongs to Christ, my eyes see through Christ, my hands touch and feel through Christ’s hands, my feet walk in the footsteps of Christ. It’s John 15:5!
But do I believe it? I can’t see it, so is it real? John 15:5 goes on to say that evidence of knowing and believing this truth will be evident in the fruit of my life. “. . . and you will bear much fruit!” This is because we behave through our belief!
God reveals the truth of who He is to us in three different ways . . . through His creation, through His written Word, and through His Son, Jesus Christ!
It’s like finding a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies on the table when you get home. You can smell them and your mouth starts to water. There’s no doubt they are real and your body is already enjoying them and your mind is trying to convince your will to tell your hand to grab one! But you resist. Why? Because quite honestly, you have no idea where they came from. But from the sweet aroma, you know for a fact they did a great job! Wait, there’s a note next to the plate that says, “Dear son, I made you a plate of cookies today because I love you. I hope you enjoy them . . . Love, Mom.” Ahhhh, how sweet! Mom made you cookies . . . but did she? How do you know? Well, they look like the cookies she makes, smells like the cookies she makes, she left me a note that says she made them — you conclude it must be true! Then, the doorbell rings. You rush to the door and see that it’s Mom coming by for a visit. The first thing she asks is if you found the plate of cookies she left for you. And you say, “It was you! Thank you so much, I can’t wait to eat them. Would you like to have one with me?”
You see, God created all things as proof of who He is! He left us a “note” as further evidence of the truth through His Word. And just to confirm the author and finisher of all things, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to fulfill His Truth.
Seeing is not believing, but knowing the Truth that sets you free is something you can believe in! Then, through faith, because you believe, you behave Christ through you — The HOPE of GLORY!
by: Mark Cruver