"Christ-Colored" Glasses
Brent Smith
The question "What would Jesus do?" is a wonderful measure by which to make decisions. Jesus did indeed leave us a perfect example that we should follow in his steps (I Peter 2.21). However, the proverb states, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Prov. 23.7). Jesus himself said, "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride foolishness: all these evil things come from within and defile the man" (Mark 7.21-23). Before we can walk where Jesus walked, we must pattern our hearts after His heart. We must strive to feel in our hearts what he felt, look at life the way he looked at life, so that in every situation throughout each day, we look through Christ-Colored glasses. Wasn’t that Paul’s emphasis when he said, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philip. 2.5)?
Christ Colored glasses are not necessarily the glasses of optimism or pessimism, but are the glasses of grace and truth. So when you put them on, what do you see:
Your place in life? I am here not to be served, but to serve.
Your primary purpose? To do the will of Him who sent me, created me.
Someone who through ignorance treats you harshly? Someone who needs forgiveness.
Someone who is socially shunned? Someone who needs a friend.
Someone who has failed? Someone who needs a second chance, another chance.
Someone who is a hypocrite? Someone who should be rebuked.
Someone who is lukewarm? Someone who should be challenged.
Someone who is badmouthing another? Someone who should be silenced.
The treasures of this world? Temporary rubble that will be consumed by fire.
My personal successes? Only possible because the Father enabled me.
Talk about an attitude adjustment! When we begin to perceive life through the eyes of our Savior, what a difference that will make in our hearts and in our actions. So we are challenged; put on those special glasses, and wear them the rest of your life.
