Since being named chair of the ABSC Executive Board in October 2023, I have had the privilege of sharing my perspective in these articles. I attempted to bring a different view of life and experiences. Most of these articles were written from the understanding of how I view events and the world around me. However, I have learned that not all my perspective should be mine alone.
Every person has the chance to form opinions and viewpoints which typically reflect their experience and interpretation of the world around them. As a child, I learned morals and values which shaped how I interpreted people, events, and personal feelings about such things. I was taught how to respond and stand on principles of truth. In my case, much of that was reflected in my understanding of what the Bible teaches and my faith in Jesus. So, it can easily be said that my perspective has been shaped by what I have been taught about a personal relationship with Jesus.
What about other individuals that have been taught something different? I have learned there is a world full of different opinions and viewpoints. A world filled with people taught to have different perspectives. Are they wrong? Am I right? In today’s culture, the opinion that is heard is usually the one that is the loudest or receives the most shares and likes on social media. These will not always be in agreement with my perspective.
So, how do I respond to different perspectives? Something else I have observed over the years is a downward, negative response to issues and individuals of differing opinions. I have seen opinions being expressed through violent actions, protests, and outbursts. I see so much evil, and hate spewed out onto people who simply have different perspectives. This brings me to my title point. My perspective can no longer hold to just my opinions and viewpoints. As a follower of Jesus, I gave up the right to be driven by my flesh.
In Scripture, we are taught that the flesh is made up of the old sinful nature which includes the viewpoints, habits, language, and opinions of someone who has been changed through grace (Ephesians 2). When I submitted my heart and life to Jesus, then I became a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Someone with a new identity and purpose which includes a new perspective on the world.
This new perspective is shaped, not only by my understanding, but my belief and faith in Jesus. The life and teaching of Jesus are now shaping my opinions and viewpoints. When Jesus was confronted as a rebel to the established traditions and lifestyles of the Mosaic Law, how did he respond? Yes, he got angry and protested in the temple against all the business brought into the place of prayer and worship. He was responding to the truth of worship in God’s house. When Jesus was confronted on the streets, did he not show a more loving and caring response? Did his perspective of the world include hate, or compassion and sadness over the lostness and wandering of souls?
Now, I still have my opinions and views on certain issues. However, those are shaped through the lens of Jesus. I have learned it is not always beneficial for my opinions to be shared in the flesh because I am under new management and I represent something that is not of the world, but of God’s kingdom (John 15:19).
So, determine which perspective is going to shape your response to the world around you. Will it be your fleshly perspective, or the one that points people to Jesus?