We have quite a large raspberry patch and have been blessed with lots of berries this summer. It is interesting how you can go through a row and pick all the ripe berries you see and then go back through from the opposite direction and find ones you missed. And then, if you get down on your hands and knees and look up, you find many more.  In other words, “perspective” matters.  As we look at things from a different angle or viewpoint, we often discover things we initially missed.  

     How true that is in life as well.  One of Solomon’s wisdom proverbs says: “The first to plead his case seems just, until another comes and examines him” (Prov. 18:17). It is always wise to hear both sides of the story before making a judgment. That is why we need to hear from several witnesses’ perspectives before we come to a conclusion.  

     When it comes to the issues of life, we need to have a “biblical perspective,” i.e., we need to have our thinking and judgments guided by the truths of God’s Word, for His “Word is truth” (Jn. 17:17).  When we look at things through the lens of Scripture, we are seeing things from God’s perspective.  The absence of that perspective results in a chaotic culture where “everyone does that which is right in their own eyes” as was the case in the spiritually dark period of time in Israel’s history before they had a king (Judges 21:25).  When we don’t have a standard by which to evaluate beliefs and behavior, we leave what is deemed right and wrong up to the whims of man’s depraved nature. What does that look like?  Well, take a look at our culture today. What took place in the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics is an example. When we don’t behave according to the standard of God’s Word, anything and everything goes. The depravity of man is put on display.   If God’s Word is not our absolute authority for faith and practice, then what is?  There is no other absolute truth to go by.  

     So, what is your “perspective” on life?  On what is it based?  After Jesus made some difficult statements as recorded by John in his gospel, many stopped following Him (Jn. 6:66).  Jesus asked the Apostles, “You don’t want to go away also, do you?” (v. 67) . “Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life’ ” (vv. 67,68).  If you walk away from the One who is the truth (Jn. 14:6), to whom will you turn?  Jesus Christ alone is the source of eternal life and truth.  When we refuse to follow Him we end up with the philosophies and traditions of man and we end up in a messed up, morally and spiritually dyslexic society without an anchor and solid foundation upon which to build our lives.  You have what our country has been becoming by ignoring God and the truth of His Word.  

     As we discovered in picking raspberries. You get the best perspective by being on your knees looking up. I guess the spiritual lesson there is pretty obvious!  We need to humbly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God, the only source of truth and the only way to eternal life. And to live with a godly perspective we need to read and heed His Word, making it our absolute standard for what we believe and how we behave. What a difference it would make in our culture  if more of us did that. 

     When Christ (and His Word) is the center of your focus, everything else comes into proper perspective. 

Forever His,

Pastor Dave