Seeing People As God Sees Them

2 Corinthians 5:20  
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Thought:  
The Word of God reminds us that “people need the Lord.” That includes us, but it also includes every person we see each day. Behind their smiles, successes, anger, or addictions, many carry the same fear, shame, and hiding that began in Genesis 3.  

God did not come to Adam and Eve to crush them, but to confront, correct, and cover them. Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  

If we belong to Jesus, we are called to treat ruined hearts the way God treated ours. We are not called to excuse sin or to celebrate it. We are called to move toward sinners with truthful mercy. We are to speak honestly about sin, but also clearly about the Savior.  

This means:  
We remember that fear is real in people’s hearts, even when they do not say it.  
We remember that many are trying fig leaf solutions that will never heal them.  
We remember that behind their hiding is a conscience that still needs the Gospel.  

God has made us ambassadors for Christ. Through our words and our lives, He calls people, “Be reconciled to God.” The more we understand our own ruined heart and the mercy we received, the more gently and boldly we will point others to Jesus.  

Prayer:  
Lord Jesus, thank You that You are the remedy for my ruined heart. Help me never forget how You came to me with grace and truth. Change how I see the people around me. When I see fear, help me remember they need Your peace. When I see fig leaf coverings, help me remember they need Your righteousness. Use me as Your ambassador, to lovingly point people to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.