Vital signs- Sunday, June 5th, 2022

Perspective Helps Us Endure

Perspective causes us to love God more. The better we understand the nature and ways of God, the more we love him. Paul prayed "that you may have your roots and foundation in love, so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love." (Ephesians 3:17-18 TEV) Perspective helps us resist temptation. When we look at a situation from God's viewpoint, we realize the long-term consequences of sin are greater than any short-term pleasure sin might provide. Without perspective we follow our own natural inclinations: "You may think you are on the right road and still end up dead." (Proverbs 14:12 CEV) Perspective helps us handle trials. When we have God's perspective on life we realize that "... in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." (Romans 8:28) and that "the testing of your faith develops perseverance." (James 1:3) Perspective was one of the reasons Jesus was able to endure the cross (Hebrews 12:2). He looked past the pain to the joy that was set before him.