Looking at God through our own colored glasses

John 8

Everything we do in life affects our responses to people and God. Every experience both for good and for evil creates a frame of reference that we use to relate to God and to others. For example, if as a child, you had been bitten by a dog, regardless of the friendliness of any other dog you may come across, instant caution may rise despite the owner’s assurance to the temperament of the dog. If as a child you had an overbearing parent, it is possible that you may struggle against any other authority in your life. Childhood fears and rejections can carry through life. The good news is we don’t need to live there; Jesus came to set us free.

The religious leaders of the day only saw one aspect of God’s nature, that of holy judge. It is true that God is a holy and righteous judge and perhaps from some perspectives we need to understand that better. He does not put up with our intentional sin and blatant disregard for Him. It is not being a true reflection of God when we hate, gossip, lie, and carry unforgiveness and so on. He is holy and sin can not be in His presence. We must remain humble and keep an attitude of gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Remembering Jesus sacrifice helps us understand the love and grace aspect of God’s nature.

The religious leaders had missed God’s love and desire for His people. Throughout Israel’s history He was judge but only for the purpose of calling Israel back to Himself. God’s judgments are true and right. His heart is always to draw people to freedom in His love and give them life.

The adultery was wrong. Jesus was not excusing sin. He knew the woman already felt condemned she did not need any more condemnation but forgiveness. When people are broken and they feel foolish they don’t need someone to push them down but to lift them up. When we recognize our sin, God will not reject us or cause us pain; instead he will draw us closer to Himself, hold us, love us, and encourage us.

The law was established to be a shadow of living for God. If we live only according to the law we remain in darkness. Jesus said in this chapter, who ever will follow Him will not walk in darkness because He is the light of the world. Nothing is hidden in light. In light is life, hope, and in Jesus light, love!

At the end of this chapter Jesus gives another one of the “I am” proclamations. He says to the leaders before Abraham was, “I AM”. The leaders knew exactly what Jesus was saying. He was making two very clear statements, 1) that He was always existent, from the beginning of time He was, before Abraham was “I am”. 2) The “I am” phrase was the phrase God used to tell Moses His name in Exodus 3:14. Jesus was saying, “I am God”! The leaders understood this and rather than embracing their Lord and Savior they picked up stones to kill Him.

The religious leaders had allowed their interpretation of the scriptures to color their view of the Messiah so poorly that they could not even see Him when He stood in front of them. All of the signs of the Messiah were in front of them. They were looking for an earthly king rather than the deliverer of men’s souls and Lord of all.

It would be easy for us to judge these leaders but how many times do we only view God through our own perspective rather than in light of eternity. We get frustrated with God when He doesn’t do things our way and in reality He is working things out for us, but in a way different than we had expected. Trust is a powerful tool to being at peace and seeing the love of God in action. Often we have to take off our own colored glasses and ask the Lord to show us what He is doing without our prejudice point of view skewing what He is doing.

What is the Lord doing in your life right now? What exciting and wonderful miracles is He about to perform? Look for the amazing things in your life. God really loves us. He forgives us! He has lots of grace, wisdom, power, and love to pour in and through us. Trust Him!