May 22, 2000
LIFE & WORK SERIES:
Christian's view of world
shaped by gospel, Jesus
___Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 14:12; Isaiah 55:8-9; Matthew 7:24-27
___By Terri Morgan
___Christian Life Commission, BGCT
___A worldview is a set of presuppositions, beliefs and values that are internalized and, therefore, shape a person's perception and interpretation of reality. Everyone has a worldview--for the Christian, worldview is the orientation from God through which we understand and appropriate our faith.
___A Christian's worldview guides or determines the Christian's understanding and interpretation of the nature of reality, how one knows what one knows, what is important, how one should act, on what one can hope and the ultimate and eternal purpose of all things.
___A person's experience of the gospel through Jesus, the revelation of God's love for all humanity, forms the Christian's worldview.
___1 John 4:9-10 tells us that God has shown the divine love for us by sending his Son into the world, that we might live through him. Verses 16 and 17 continue this promise, emphasizing both that God is love and that those who live in God live in love. In other words, God's love transforms human life, renewing the very meaning and purpose of human existence. The biblical worldview embraces the transformative power of love in an experience with the living God--through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
___Matthew 7:24 also reflects this idea of transformative love. Divine love empowers the person who hears and practices the words of Jesus; she or he resembles the wise person who builds her house on the rock. In this sense, wisdom is not of the human sort--it is divine wisdom that comes only by a relationship (experience) with God.
___The prophet Isaiah knew this as he declared that the thoughts and ways of God (divine wisdom) are not the thoughts and ways of people (human wisdom) (Isaiah 55:8). Therefore, if humans cannot obtain divine wisdom through their own efforts, how can one, like the wise person, build a house on the rock that will withstand every tempest and trial?
___Philippians 2:5 holds the key to this dilemma. Paul instructs the believer to "let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." As we are transformed by the mind of Christ, our worldview is transformed. Our presuppositions, biases and beliefs change to reflect the image of God, who is unconditional love.
___Adopting a worldview that accepts the mind of Christ as love for God transforms and empowers the believer to withstand any trial or tempest. The Christian remains steadfast, celebrating the experience of faith, hope and love, within the human community.
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