This passage has been bouncing around in my head for quite some time.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:16,17 NIV)

    If I no longer regard a person from a worldly point of view, when I look at the guy behind the cash register at the convenience store maybe I will see him differently. Instead of only seeing the seven piercings in his ear, lip, nose and cheek (there were more but I could not count them all without being really rude), I will look at him as a valuable human being created in the image of the Creator.

    If I no longer regard a person from a worldly point of view, when I walk through the intensive care unit of the hospital maybe I will see more than the tubes and the machines. Maybe I will see one of God’s children on the threshold of eternity. Maybe I will not be in a hurry to leave for my next pressing appointment.

    If I no longer regard a person from a worldly point of view, maybe I will really see my children. Maybe I will look at them like God looks at them. Maybe I will see them, not just by their actions, but maybe I will listen to their heart — not just their apparent attitudes. Maybe I will be more careful with how my words affect them. Maybe I will be more concerned how I spend my time with them.

    If I no longer regard a person from a worldly point of view, maybe I will be slower to speak, and quicker to listen. Maybe I will speak more gently. Maybe I will spend more time with them. Maybe I will be more concerned about what they are getting out of our visit and less concerned about what I am getting.

...when I look at a person, maybe I will really look at them, and not past them.

    If I no longer regard a person from a worldly point of view, when I look at a person, maybe I will really look at them, and not past them. When I listen to them, maybe I will really listen to what they are saying and not simply wait for them to get quiet so I can speak.

    If I no longer regard a person from a worldly point of view, maybe I will see my wife as the gift God has given me to love, honor and cherish. Maybe I will appreciate her more. Maybe I will seek to please her, and not be angry when she does not please me.

    If I no longer regard a person from a worldly point of view, maybe when I see someone hurting, crying, alone, or in need I will seek to relieve their pain, dry their tear, spend time with them, and fill their need. Maybe I will be less selfish. Maybe I will be more thoughtful. Maybe I will be more forgiving. Maybe I will be more accepting. Maybe I will respond to them with more tenderness.

    If I no longer regard a person from a worldly point of view, not only will I see that person in a different light, maybe they will see me in a different light. Maybe, just maybe, they will begin to see me as the “new creation” that I am. Maybe they will see that the “old has gone, the new has come.”

    Maybe!

 

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Title: "Not From a Worldly Point of View"
Author: Tom Norvell
Publication Date: January 7, 2003