So…I’m reading this book called Jesus Prom. Seems I like books with weird titles. 🙂 One I plan to begin blogging about next week is called The Fi5th Gospel. I told the folks Sunday, “The Fi5th Gospel was about Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and You. Did Jesus go to a prom? No. Jesus Prom has a subtitle of “Life Gets Fun When You Love People Like God Does.”
It has been a good book so far. Not deep at all. Very succinct. Very pointed. Very to the point.
And very convicting.
I shared some thoughts from it Sunday morning during my Communion thought.
“What we see is our past. What Jesus sees is our future.” (p.33)
“Jesus is motioning you to follow Him. Jesus is motioning you to trust Him. Jesus is motioning you to run from your past and toward your future.” (p.33)
“Your past does not define your future.” (p.38)
“When God see you, He does not see your sin. When God sees you He sees His Son.” (p.39)
My main point: too many people are defined by their past. Shame. Regret. Sin. But God does not see that past. He sees our future. And when He looks at us, He does not see our sin; He sees His Son. That is what happens when we are “clothed with Christ.” It has a theological term: imputed righteousness. But don’t concern yourself with the big term. Concern yourself with the fact that He sees Jesus, not your sin or shame or regret.
Good news for sure don’t you think?
When I glanced at your blog page as it was loading, I could have sworn the book title read “Jesus Porn”. Now that would have been a provocative title. I have ordered my copy of The Fifth Gospel and will work it into my rotation.
Well, XXX Church does have a Bible cover which says, “Jesus Loves Porn Stars.” I’m not sure I would have picked up a Jesus Porn book to read. 🙂 BTW: you about gave me a heart attack. I went back to make double sure my fingers didn’t have dyslexia and transpose some letters.
Best news
For sure.
Yeah… I think so, Bill.
Great quotes that mirror the life you live. Our flesh is indeed a miracle that yet traps us in the magic of it all… To see with the soul and heart, and not the sense is to truly see and feel.
Well said Floyd. Seeing ourselves and others with the soul and heart is truly seeing. Thanks for the comment my friend.
I love this idea- truth, rather, that the father sees the Son and forgiveness when he sees us. I’m so thankful for this!
As am I Stephen.
Yes! The best news ever! Blessings, Bill!
100% agree Martha
Thanks, Bill! Good things to be reminded of. The Father beholding us in the likeness of the Son, which is the likeness of Himself. Raises some questions for me to ponder. Yet again.
I’m glad I can raise questions Dave. Also glad you get the point. 🙂
Great reminder. Forgiven sins are as far as the east is from the west. He chooses to forget. Absolutely incredible to ponder. Thanks Bill.
Absolutely Jason. My post for the weekend takes it even further as I look at some Scripture which shows this.
He is welcome to look at my past. No real regrets.
If he looks at me and sees Jesus he might want to check his glasses. He’ll just have to take me as I am warts and all or send me to the other place. I won’t lose any sleep over it either way.
To see Jesus when He looks at us requires (as I say) that we be clothed with Christ. That means we have accepted Christ by faith and received His salvation. He still loves you, Jeff, warts and all though. Just He does me.
Don’t you just love Christian books that get you thinking and growing? I do! Please keep sharing your insights from the books you read.
I was thinking I don’t really have a problem focusing on the past. I’ve always had more of a future orientation. However, I do have a harder time letting go of friendships. That’s my area where I need to follow Jesus. He has new relationships planned for me!
I like to read books which make me think and grow. Some do it simply, like this one did. Others take more thought. But either way…go for it! And yeah, sometimes He does want to take us a new direction.
“What we see is our past. What Jesus sees is our future.” My new favorite. It’s taken me a long time to be at peace with a painful part of our past, and keeping my heart and mind set on Jesus is the only answer. Knowing He sees my future lets me move forward without dragging the baggage of a broken heart. His love gives me hope!
Glad you like that Deb. Only wish I had come up with it. 🙂 i am glad His love give me hope.
This is where I have to claim Romans 8:28. Everything in my past, even my sin, is something that God is using for good.
When He sees me, He sees the blood of the Lamb
He sees me as worthy and not as I am
He views me in garments as white as the snow.
For the Lamb of God is Worthy and He washed me this I know
My all time favorite gospel song…my go too song to sing when I am ask on the spur of the moment. My planned first song to sing when ask. Great post Bill.