By Rick Sibert                                                                                                                                   December 2007  

What is your worldview?

Through which lens do you view your environment around you, the world in which you live?

Are they rose colored glasses (unfailingly, unrealistically optimistic, without the responsibilities of serious decision making)?

Is it a myopic lens (that is, looking at the world with narrow-sightedness, focused only on yourself, without concern for others)?

Or are they Chicken Little specs, where you only see doom and gloom?

Perhaps the lens is tinted by secular humanism, in which there are no direct consequences for one’s actions; thereby you are free to do whatever you want with whomever you want whenever you want?

I’m sure most of us have seen the world through one variation of these lenses at one time or another during our lives, even as believers in Jesus Christ.  But ultimately, as we move forward in our walk with Jesus, the only lens we should be looking through on a daily basis is the eternal one.

You see, as we learn to see the world - and everything that that encompasses - through the filter of eternity it will affect everything we do and say and touch.

I’ll be the first to admit it’s a struggle.  Of course it is!  We are pilgrims in this world and we live in a place that has been taken over by the enemy.  We are ambassadors living in a hostile foreign land, where we war daily against principalities and powers…and our own fleshly lusts. (Eph 6:12, 1 Ptr 2:11) 

But this is all the more reason to put on those eternal goggles! 

For I believe this is the most challenging time to be alive in human history.  With advancements in technology and media and an increasingly anti-Christ spirit in the world, we are bombarded daily by untruths and in some cases diabolical plans to thwart the advancement of good and the cause of Jesus.

At every turn Christians are mocked and spat on.  Sadly, the weaker ones are beginning to simply fade away.

From the pulpit, the essential truths of the word of God are repeatedly compromised and the rise of false teachers is reaching the epidemic levels prophesied about by every New Testament writer.  It’s enough to make you crumble…unless we become disciplined enough to put on those eternal goggles.  Then the peace comes.  Then the faith is built.

As you walk down the busy highway of life with it’s flashing neon signs and it’s people and things grabbing at you, pulling at you, those eternal goggles keep you focused on what is good and pure and lovely (Ph 4:8).

You begin to see the things of this world for what they are – wood, hay and stubble, bound for the bonfire

(1 Cor 3).  With those goggles, you can see the all the way down that highway (past where the inhabitants of this world can see) all the way to the very abrupt end.  And you see your glorious future.  You see your inheritance.  You see your eternity.

Peter, the disciple who denied knowing Jesus, the lion who would one day become a lamb, summarized the view, indeed the perspective, these eternal goggles give us…

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.  Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls.  (1 Ptr 3-9)

How do we gain this eternal perspective?  There is really only one way, by spending time with Jesus in prayer and most importantly in his Word.  And I’ll share a secret with you…the more time you spend with Him, the sharper your focus will be!  We are told that the Bible will make us wise for salvation, and is given to us by the very inspiration of God.  It is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness, that we may be complete and thoroughly equipped! (2 Tim 3:15-17).  You see, we have everything we need!

Throw those other cracked lenses away.

As you pick up the newspaper, go to the movies, listen to music, talk with neighbors, prioritize your days, work hard (and play harder), remember to filter everything through the Lord.  You’ll be amazed at the peace that comes over you and the burdens that are lifted – and the eternal perspective you begin to have.

Editor’s Note:  Eternal Perspective is a monthly feature of Calvary Chapel Columbus and the commentary of Pastor Rick Sibert, focusing on living a Godly life in the midst of an ungodly world.