446-God Knows Everything About You and Still Willing to Accept You#
(JP Text Group - shalom organized)
Dear family, peace in the Lord, welcome to your arrival, today is Sunday.
The topic of sharing is: God knows everything about you and still willing to accept you.
Hebrews 4:12-13:
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Let us pray first:
Heavenly Father, thank you and praise you for preparing such a wonderful time for us. We come together to seek you. Your words are full of power, and everything about us is revealed before you. You know our needs and weaknesses. We receive your supply and strength to start a new week of life. Through today’s sharing, may everyone who seeks you find renewed strength! Thank you and praise the Lord, we commit the following time to the Holy Spirit to renew our thoughts and intentions. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen!
When we experience failure and problems in life, we often feel afraid, afraid that because of failure, loved ones and friends will distance themselves from us and not look at us. Therefore, we try every means to succeed in order to gain a sense of satisfaction and achievement, to receive recognition from others. Many believers even think that our Lord is like this, that God only loves those who are obedient, successful, and smart. When believers mess things up and feel discouraged and fail, it is easy to live in regret and condemnation, believing that God will no longer help them and that everything is self-inflicted.
However, the greatness of our God lies in the fact that He knew everything about you before He called you. Our thoughts and intentions are not hidden before the Lord; they are all laid bare. Before you were born, He had already seen your entire life. He knows that you will stumble, fail, and go astray. He also knows that sometimes you will fall into temptation because of stubbornness. Nevertheless, He still loves you. Your life has His own plan. As long as you are willing to seek Him, He is willing to turn everything around for you. This is very important because our God does not force anyone to follow Him or obey Him. He waits for people’s hearts to turn to Him and seek Him.
So, brothers and sisters, no matter when you seek Him, He loves you and is willing to help you, not based on your good behavior or achievements, but because He is good, He is kind, and He is full of love. Amen.
The first point of sharing: God knows everything about you, and He still loves you.
Genesis 2:15-17:
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
God created everything in the world, and in this act of creation, Adam and Eve did not have to labor or participate in it. After creating everything, He let them enjoy it. While enjoying it, God gave them rules. Brothers and sisters, even under grace, it does not mean there are no rules, nor does it mean one can act recklessly.
The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
This means they should take care of the garden according to the wisdom God gave them. This was their responsibility. The word of God is alive and effective. At that time, to build this garden, there was no need for people to use tools like scissors or saws to prune the trees; they only needed to speak. At that time, Adam's words were full of power, meaning that the words from Adam's mouth were faster than any double-edged sword. Hallelujah, Adam already had such ability, yet he chose to disobey God's words.
God had made it very clear to him: You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die!
God's rules are here. Even under grace, God has requirements. If a person disobeys God's words, they will fall under the curse and the condemnation of the law. One question is: Did God know that Adam would sin before He created him? Did He know that he would definitely disobey His words? The answer is certain. We always say that God is omniscient; He must know that Adam would fall and sin. But why did God still allow such things to happen? Because God is omnipotent. Even if Adam sinned, God still has a way to save him and make up for his mistakes, provided that Adam turns to God and seeks a solution from Him. Thank the Lord.
Unfortunately, what did Adam do after he sinned? He hid from God. This is particularly similar to today’s world, where people hide and conceal after making mistakes. Many people feel ashamed to face others after their failures. Over time, this self-condemnation makes them lose confidence to stand up and face past failures.
We cannot have this thought about God. Even if you fail, you must bravely come before Him and admit that you have indeed failed. But God still loves you. Explain this to Him, and then receive strength from God to be renewed. Amen. When we see others sin and fail, we get angry and may abandon them when they repeatedly disobey; but God absolutely will not do this. God did not abandon Adam, nor did He abandon the people of Israel.
Reading the Old Testament, we can see that the people of Israel were really disobedient. When they faced difficulties and cried out to God, once God solved their problems, they immediately became proud and acted recklessly, ultimately leading to falling into difficulties and curses repeatedly. Yet even so, God still did not abandon them.
Looking at the major and minor prophets, which are the latter part of the Old Testament, we see that the people of Israel often fell under punishment and curses, often attacked by enemies from other nations, because they had departed from God's words. The prophets came to tell the people of Israel that they had gone the wrong way. As long as they turned back, God was willing to accept them and bless them. However, the people of Israel thought they were doing fine, having overcome many difficulties in the past. What was there to fear? They believed they could manage! They still refused to listen to God's words, resulting in continued suffering! We should not be such foolish people; we must turn back to God in a timely manner. Hallelujah.
Looking at Moses' final advice to the people of Israel, Deuteronomy 30:15-18:
15 “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed; you will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.”
Why did Moses give such advice to the people at the end? Because during the 40 years of Moses' service, he saw with his own eyes how forgetful and self-righteous this group of people were. When they encountered difficulties, they cried out to God, and when the difficulties were resolved, they became proud and arrogant. So at the end, he said to this group of people: I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. In simple terms, life and death, blessings and curses are set before you. Which one will you choose?
Of course, Moses hoped that the people would listen to God's words, to walk in obedience to Him, to keep His commands, decrees, and laws, so that they could live and increase, and the Lord their God would bless them in the land they were entering to possess. Thank the Lord, this was Moses' wish. Later, Moses also gave them another option: if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, but are drawn away to worship other gods, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. Even if you enter the land you are to possess, your days will not be long.
Is this not particularly similar to what God said to Adam at that time? Our God does not only give us one option, that we must listen to Him. God gives you two options: one is to listen to Him, and you will be blessed; the other is not to listen to Him, and your days will not be long! It cannot be said that God curses you; no, it is that you have departed from the blessing and are under the curse. This is your own choice!
Does God know what kind of people these are? Does He know their true nature? Of course, He knows. Even we know that the people of Israel are rebellious, disobedient, and proud. Yet God still loves them. As long as they are willing to turn back, God will bless them.
God sends prophets again and again to remind them and urge them to repent. Reading the prophetic books, we can see a very clear logic: the people of Israel sinned and fell into suffering. The prophets went to tell them to turn back. As long as they turned back, God would bless them. However, many times they chose not to turn back, walking down the wrong path until the end, refusing to listen to others' advice, and ultimately suffering came upon them. There will always be people who do not listen, always people who reap what they sow, ending up with nothing, even losing their lives.
So God wrote these things in the Bible as a reference for us. What is the reference? It is that God has never changed. He knows what you are like, yet He still loves you. This love includes not forcing you; love gives you freedom. This is not a matter of coercion. Even if many people believe in Jesus, not all believers are willing to act according to God's words. There are always those who act according to their own will, always those who listen to strange and bizarre methods to live. Just look at what their lives are like now. It is like we have always emphasized: what you receive is what you will become!
Some people are very dissatisfied with their current lives, constantly facing problems. They start to check if the words they received are problematic, needing to solve the problem from the root. Otherwise, if this problem is solved, the next one will emerge. If it is always like this, then it is related to the words you received and needs adjustment. Amen.
Let’s take a look at John 6:60-64:
60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.
What does this passage talk about? In John 6, after Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish, He became very famous. Many people followed Him closely because life was hard at that time, and Jesus could perform miracles and feed everyone, which was a rare thing.
Seeing so many people following Him, Jesus began to tell them the real truth, wanting to supply their lives with these truths, telling them: You must eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood to have the life of the Son of Man within you. However, the disciples could not accept these words. Why could they not accept them? Because at that time, the disciples' lives were still at the level of being filled with bread.
God wrote about these disciples' situations and psychological activities in the Bible to tell us that we are not much different from those disciples; we are quite similar. So do not mock the people of Israel or the twelve disciples of Jesus. It is just that what we pursue may differ slightly. Today, when people have problems, they cannot tolerate others, cannot forgive others, let alone sacrifice for others. This is absolutely impossible.
Jesus is asking the disciples to eat His flesh and drink His blood, which means Jesus is going to sacrifice for them, to give them true life. However, these disciples only thought about getting more on earth and living more comfortably. They did not understand Jesus' heart and did not know what it meant to follow Him. God's love for them was genuine, but they only wanted to take. If this is the case, their lives cannot grow and mature. Moreover, among the twelve disciples of Jesus, there was one who did not believe in Him, who followed Him for more than three years but still did not believe in Him.
If you established a team, thinking that everyone would work together to accomplish something, but one person constantly does not believe in you and ultimately betrays you, how would you face this group of people? Can you continue to love them? Can you invest in them? When you know that three years later, one person in your team will betray you and kill you, while the others will run away and leave you, can you still calmly interact with them? Can you continue to help them, nurture them, and supply them? This is something we need to ask ourselves.
Most people might say they cannot love him because he will betray me. How can I get along with him peacefully?
So the love that comes from people is conditional. The harmony that comes from people is also conditional. Only God's love is special love. The true love that comes from God does not look at what you are like or how you treat Him; He still gives so much for you.
So when Jesus faced Judas Iscariot, knowing that he did not believe in Him and knowing that Judas would betray Him more than three years later, Jesus still gave him opportunities, continually supplying him with truth, hoping that one day a miracle could happen. Because in this aspect, people's hearts can change. What God wants to do is to touch people's hearts with the Holy Spirit and truth. People have the freedom to choose to turn back and believe in God one day, or they can choose to continue hardening their hearts to do what they think is right. Then the outcome is already determined.
Judas Iscariot, even at the moment of his death, still refused to believe in Jesus, did not believe that Jesus would forgive him, would accept him. He knew he had betrayed Jesus and realized he was wrong, but he did not turn to God, thinking that the trouble he caused this time was too great, and God would not forgive him. So he chose to commit suicide.
There is another person named Peter. Peter also denied Jesus, saying three times in front of everyone that he did not know Jesus, even swearing and cursing that he had nothing to do with Jesus. In this regard, he was no different from Judas Iscariot; both denied Jesus.
But why is Peter's outcome different from Judas Iscariot? Peter also knew he had done wrong, but he believed that Jesus could forgive him. So after Jesus resurrected, on the night they went fishing and caught nothing, when they were returning in their empty boat at dawn, someone on the shore asked them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” They answered, “No.” The Lord said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some!” So they threw the net and were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. John suddenly realized it was the Lord, and Peter's reaction at that moment was very surprising. He jumped into the water without bothering to put on his clothes and ran to Jesus.
Why did Peter have such great confidence to run to Jesus? He also knew he had done wrong, but he believed that Jesus could forgive him and was willing to accept him. So he ran to Jesus; while Judas Iscariot ran to the high priest, who said, “You have killed the blood of the innocent. This has nothing to do with us. It is impossible to return the money now; I will not take your money.” So Judas Iscariot did not run to Jesus but ran to a person of condemnation. Therefore, his outcome was already determined.
So, brothers and sisters, no matter how great the difficulties you encounter, do not seek the wrong person. If you find a lawyer, he can only condemn you, making you even more discouraged and desperate. If you run to Jesus, He will bring you comfort, just like Peter ran to Jesus. Jesus seemed to say nothing, just asked, “Bring me some of the fish you have caught. I will cook some for you.”
Brothers and sisters, all of this is because of God's love. Amen. Because God loves us so much, He knows everything about us and is still willing to accept us. When people love another person, once they know that person's past is not so glorious and has many dark sides, they no longer trust that person and even keep their distance. This is a human reaction, not love that comes from God.
And we have the Holy Spirit within us, so we should receive the love that comes from God. How does God love you? He knows what you are like, knows that your life has many ups and downs, many failures, knows that you are disobedient, yet He still loves you. This is true love. Only such love can last. Amen. God can even turn your mistakes around and change them into something beneficial for you!
Some may say: I have failed and fallen into difficulties; this is of no benefit to me! If we had not experienced such suffering, we would not cherish God's grace. If people had not experienced curses, had not experienced illness, they would not know how beneficial and blessed health is.
Many people enjoy the peace, health, and tranquility that come from God but never thank God. One day, they must face death, problems, and diseases, and in the midst of suffering, they realize how wonderful the health God gave them is!
If people do not experience failure, they think they can achieve anything. If people do not go through these failures, they will not believe that God is omnipotent; they will think they are omnipotent. God can use the mistakes that make you lonely, disappointed, and limited to show you God's unwavering love. These things will not cause you to regress; instead, they will strengthen your faith in God's love for you. Ultimately, you will willingly follow God and move towards the destiny He has given you!
The second point of sharing: Understanding the Lord's love allows you to willingly follow the Lord.
If a person does not understand God's love, they always want to perform well. However, people often look down on themselves after failure and mistakes, giving themselves a wrong identity: I cannot do it; it is all others' fault! This is living in bitterness, filled with guilt, and they no longer expect good things to happen.
So many people, when their situations are terrible and have not changed for years, do not seek God with hope but hate everyone. Negative voices tell them: This is how you are; your life will not have a good outcome; you are already this old; it is impossible to have a happy marriage!
But I want to tell you: Turn to God, run to Him. God is a merciful Lord; He will not abandon you. Even if you made mistakes in the past, God is willing to accept you. God loves you not because you are good enough, but because you need love so much. He will not only help you clean up the mess and your failures but will also let you see His miracles in your failures.
Luke 15:13: Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
Luke 15 tells the story of two sons and a father. The elder son does not need to be mentioned; on the surface, he appears righteous and obedient to his father, but in his heart, he does not truly obey his father, which can be seen later in the story. The younger son, on the other hand, shows everything outwardly. He feels that there are too many rules and demands from his father and does not see them as love.
Just like today, God gives us the Bible, which includes what we can do and what we cannot do. Many believers think there are too many things they cannot do. This is a rule that limits their freedom. Therefore, no one can condemn them; no one can restrict them. They must be allowed to do whatever they want. They see this as a limitation and automatically delete the requirements in the Bible, only receiving the good things and ignoring what God wants them to do. They think there are too many rules. Whenever someone suggests they should change, they believe it is condemning them.
The relationship between the younger son and his father had already reached this point. Perhaps his father loved him and pointed out many flaws and problems in him, but he could not accept it. He had to leave, feeling he could not endure it. He thought he could do better without his father, so he boldly asked his father for his share of the inheritance and left.
At first, when he left home, we can imagine that his life should be very happy and free. But I want to ask everyone: Is that true freedom? No, that is indulgence, a failed outcome that was already determined when he left. He left the source of blessing, had no ability to manage himself, and could not listen to his father's advice. Failure was inevitable.
Just like many believers, they do not understand the truth but insist on teaching others and are unwilling to listen to God's words. Therefore, failure is already determined. The day pride entered their hearts, failure was already set. Their father knew that this son would inevitably suffer after going out, but he did not look down on him. He still loved him and waited at the door every day for his son to turn back.
Some may say: Why didn’t he send someone to find his son? Wouldn’t that be the best way to bring him back? If his heart had not repented and had not realized his love, it would only repeat history as before. Only when he realizes he cannot do anything and is willing to turn back does it count as truly regaining what was lost and coming back to life!
Many times, our Heavenly Father is like this, waiting for His children on earth to turn back. Some say: That is waiting for unbelievers to turn back. Believers sometimes are like this too. Just like the younger son, he was already a son, but his heart was not on his father. He did not understand his father's love, so he would not willingly obey his father, thinking his father was not right.
Just like many people do not believe that what is written in the Bible is correct, believing some parts are right but some parts they must handle themselves. When people are unwilling to obey, God waits. He does not want us to act recklessly like the younger son, wasting our wealth and lives. He wants our lives to have value and our lives to have quality. He wants us to have joy and peace in Him every day.
But people do not choose this way. They must first go through turmoil, exhaust all their abilities, and still fail before they are willing to return to the Lord. But this is also good. What is concerning is that many people have failed many times and never think about why this is happening to them, still moving in the wrong direction. This is the real problem.
In Luke 15, when did the younger son realize that his father was so generous? It was when he had squandered all his resources and was in dire straits, having to feed pigs for someone else. That person was very fair; if he did not work, he would not eat. He saw the pods the pigs were eating and wished he could eat some of them. Then he remembered: The hired hands in my father’s house eat better than this! He realized that his father was a loving father, not like the one he was with now, who only acted fairly.
Brothers and sisters, only when a person understands the Lord's love will they willingly follow Him. If a person does not understand what love is, they will not know how to serve because serving requires giving and self-denial. It requires bearing many burdens for others and solving their problems, which certainly involves many grievances to bear.
Just like Jesus served us, when people are arrogant and show off in front of Jesus, what can Jesus do? He can only endure them, teaching them with truth over and over again. Only when people understand how much Jesus loves them can they love others in return. This is life influencing life; it is absolutely not just theory. If a person's heart only contains some theories, they cannot achieve this.
However, when a person truly realizes how Jesus loves them, they can face life correctly and truly live according to Christ in their lives. At this point, this person's heart is broad, and they are less constrained by the people and things around them. At this point, we say: Their hearts are filled with God's truth and will not act recklessly to harm others. Unknowingly, they will live like a prince, and of course, this is the pattern God expects us to live out.
1 Thessalonians 5:5-11:
5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Here, Paul tells us what our identity is: You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. This indicates that our outcome is with God; we cannot be like those who act in the night.
So, let us not sleep as others do, but let us be awake and sober. This does not mean we should never sleep again; it means we should not be confused spiritually. Do not imitate the world and not recognize God, always acting against God's words. We must be awake and sober, knowing what the truth is, what God's words are, and always knowing that God loves you.
Many people think that if God does not fulfill their prayers, then God does not love them, and they become discouraged and desperate. This is not the case; God's love for us has never changed. We are children of the day, especially in the last days when people only care for themselves, only for their own betterment. We must put on faith and love as a breastplate. If the heart is pierced, a person's life will end. What is this? What does the breastplate refer to? It is faith and love; we cannot lose faith and love. Amen.
Where does this faith and love come from? It comes from God. You know that God will never abandon you or forsake you, and He still loves you. This gives you faith. Knowing that God will stand by you no matter how great the difficulties you encounter or how many times you fail, we understand this love. When we fail and are weak, is it not when someone pulls us up that we feel this love? This is how faith and love become our breastplate. If you lose both, then the enemy can easily attack your heart.
We must often meditate on how God loves you, especially after you fail. Meditate on God's love for you. Of course, we cannot go to extremes and say: I have failed, but Jesus still loves me, so I will just keep failing and let God love me. This statement is completely incorrect. No one wants to experience pain and failure. Just like you know that God is a healer, would you want to be a patient, living in pain for years, just to experience His healing? No one would want that. Amen. So do not say: I will just let others love me, and I will keep failing. This is not correct. We should serve others like Jesus, having God's peace, joy, and health. How wonderful is that!
Put on the hope of salvation as a helmet. What is the hope of salvation? How are we saved? We are saved by faith. Amen. Once you believe in Jesus, no matter what problems you encounter afterward, you are still a child of God. God will not abandon you. Even if you fail and sin, you are still a child of God. This identity cannot be taken away by anyone. So salvation is your helmet, and you cannot lose this helmet. Amen. Do not let anyone deceive you into thinking you might not be saved; this will cause you to lose hope. Do not let anyone tell you that God has abandoned you, that God will no longer care for you, or that God will no longer listen to your prayers. This is impossible. Once you believe in the Lord, you become a child of God for life. Amen.
Although we will make mistakes, although sometimes we will act stubbornly and fail, you are still a child of God. As long as you turn back to God, just like the younger son ran back to his father's house, that is enough. Amen. When you return, this is repentance. Your heart must renew itself: you must give up your previous ways of doing things, give up your previous thoughts, and realize that your father loves you so much. From now on, I am willing to follow Him! You must have this determination!
Because God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. God allows us to live in this world, absolutely not to let us live in pain and failure. Why do people experience these failures and pains? The reason is simple: they have departed from God's words and are not aligned with God's goals, which leads to failure. If you act according to God's words in everything, according to the will of the Heavenly Father, you will not fail. Amen. When you fail, you need to constantly adjust your direction, but you must believe in your heart: God knows everything about me, and He is willing to accept me! This is how we should view our Lord. Amen. Thank and praise the Lord.
He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
We should realize that God is with you, the Holy Spirit is with you. When we have this heart, our lives will change, and we will know how to treat others. Otherwise, if others make a small mistake, you cannot tolerate it, you cannot forgive them, and you even harbor complaints and bitterness. He is your brother. Just as God accepted you, you should accept him. Amen. In this way, our hearts will not be filled with bitterness, and the enemy will have no opportunity to attack you. This is why Paul hopes we can encourage one another and build each other up. Amen. Everyone must remember that serving is to build each other up, not to tear each other down or attack each other.
When conflicts arise between people, they usually point out others' mistakes: It is all his fault; it is all his error. Why should I change? He should change! This is of no benefit to us; it will only let bitterness take root in our hearts. So when problems arise between people, especially between believers, we should think about whether there are areas where we are not doing well enough. We should look for problems within ourselves and then pray before God: Lord, please help me, give me the strength to forgive him, let me change myself so that others can be built up! Hallelujah!
The believers in the Thessalonian church did very well in this regard, so Paul said: Just as you are accustomed to doing. They understood God's love, and they also knew they were children of the light, so they lived out the pattern of children of the light. Amen. This is something we must understand: You know that God unconditionally accepts you, and you should accept your brothers in the same way. Amen.
2 Corinthians 5:14-17:
14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 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. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
This passage is actually very important. The love of Christ compels us, not God’s love binding us, controlling us, or kidnapping us. What does it mean to compel us? Jesus is our example. How He acts inspires us to imitate Him, and it must be willingly, never forced.
Some people do not understand what to do. Just wait for them to grow, amen. In interpersonal relationships, we cannot expect everyone’s life to be the same as ours to communicate. There will always be many lives that are not as good as ours, right? There will always be many people who do not understand us. We cannot always demand that others understand us. Just like many people say: Others do not understand me; everyone around me does not understand me! How mediocre must they be to expect everyone around them to understand them? They should think about how God loves them, and then they can understand others. It is the love of Christ that compels us. Amen.
When we serve and have conflicts with others, it is God's love that compels us to forgive others and build them up. Amen. Because God accepts us like this, we know how to live. Our hearts are always free and joyful, not influenced by others. Why must we bear the burden of others' mistakes?
For we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. What does this mean? That one refers to Jesus. Jesus died for us. We sinned, and Jesus died for us. Is this unfair? Why did Jesus do this? Because He loves us. Why did Jesus die for us? Because if we die, we cannot live; He died so that we can live and give us His life! If He did not die for us, we would have to die ourselves, and there would be no end. Amen.
Jesus changed our lives with His death. This is His love. He knows we are unworthy and undeserving, yet He still gives us this love. When we understand this love, we know how to live. From now on, those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. This means that while you are on earth, you live representing Christ. In what you do and say, you represent Christ. So when you interact with others, think about how Jesus would interact with this person. Then you can do it well; you can speak well. Jesus would never cause anyone to stumble, nor would He condemn or strike others down. He always builds others up and brings life to them. Amen.
So verse 16 says: So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.
What does this mean? In the past, when we did not believe in Jesus, we did not know Jesus, and we regarded Him from a worldly point of view, looking at people with our flesh and blood: This person is rich and powerful; I should flatter him and say nice things. This person has nothing, so why should I even look at him? This is human flesh.
In the past, no one looked at Jesus because they thought Jesus did not have a tall and handsome appearance. But the heart of Jesus, the life of Jesus, is the most perfect life in the world. Jesus' heart is completely for us; His love is given entirely to us. This is something no one in the world can do or has done. Only Jesus has given us everything. So Paul says: Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. This proves that he experienced Jesus and understood how God loved him and accepted him.
In the past, Paul opposed Jesus, using all his strength to go against Jesus. Later, he submitted at Jesus' feet, realizing how foolish he was. From that moment on, his life was submitted to Jesus, following Him without turning back. This is what Paul meant when he said: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.
What is a new creation? It has nothing to do with the old man. After believing in Jesus, you are a new creation. Amen. God accepts you according to the pattern of Jesus, blesses you, and is with you. He absolutely does not accept you according to the old man. The old man is unworthy of God's presence, filled with sin and selfishness. The Holy Spirit cannot be with us.
But now God is willing to accept you because you wear the robe of Christ's righteousness, according to your new self. This is why we often say: In Christ, you are holy, righteous, and loved by God! That is how God sees you through Christ. Should you not also see the people around you through Christ? Do not always look at their shortcomings and problems. Everyone has problems, but when we look through Jesus, we know how Jesus treats this person. Amen.
I encourage everyone to read the four Gospels, which are the first four books of the New Testament, to see how Jesus interacts with others. Many people are truly unworthy and rebellious, yet Jesus still forgives them, encourages them, and supplies them. This is our example. The image of Jesus is the image we should live out as new creations. Amen. You are a new creation; the old has gone, the new is here. This is how God sees you. So God now looks at you through Christ, blesses you through Christ, and is with you every day through Christ. You should realize this. Amen.
When you realize this, you know: Although I have problems, God still accepts me! When you see others have problems, you know that God accepts them too, and you will know how to get along with them. Amen. There will indeed be many rough edges in our lives, but in Christ, we must be gradually inspired by Christ's love to change, gradually growing from a child into an adult, maturing step by step. Amen. Otherwise, if you always remain a child, only able to drink milk and unable to discern solid food, then such a life will not be able to bear many blessings. Amen.
So finally, think about this: All creation is laid bare before God. Everything in the universe is related to our Lord; everything is exposed and open. Our thoughts and intentions, everything about us is revealed before God. Yet God knows everything and still loves us. We must often think this way, and our lives will unknowingly change, becoming more and more like Christ. May God's living word enter you every day and work effectively. May Christ's power be manifested through you to build yourself and those around you. Thank and praise the Lord.
Let us pray together
Heavenly Father, thank you and praise you for encouraging and comforting us through today’s words. You know everything about us; you know what we are like, yet you are still willing to love us. You sent your only Son, Jesus, into the world to save us, who are unworthy. Without your salvation, our outcome would be doomed to destruction. Father, thank you for giving me new life through your Son. I am a new creation in Christ; the old has gone, and the new is here. I am willing to face this new week of life with the mindset and pattern of a new creation. Lord, remind us that we are new creations in Christ, that God loves us so much, and we should also be willing to love one another.
As we begin this new week, please lead us. No matter where the brothers and sisters go, may you be with them, experiencing your goodness. May their lives increasingly reflect the image of Christ! Thank you and praise the Lord for building ourselves and building those around us. Finally, may all the glory be given to our Father in heaven. May you be glorified through us. We are willing to be vessels of blessing to build more people! In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen!