Vemos como somos, somos lo que vemos

Introduction and Personal Reflection

Opening Remarks

• The speaker expresses gratitude and acknowledges the responsibility of sharing a message believed to be from God. They mention feeling nervous but comfortable as they are among family.

Title of the Message

• The title shared by the speaker is "We See How We Are, and We Are What We See." This sets the stage for discussing perspectives on life and faith.

Biblical Foundation

Scriptural Reference

• The speaker references Matthew 6:22, emphasizing that spiritual perception allows revelation into one's being. A clear heart lets light in, while focus on materialism leads to darkness.

Personal Journey

Ongoing Process

• The speaker shares their personal struggle with living daily with an eternal perspective, aligning life with God's eternal principles which often contrast worldly views. They express this as a significant challenge in their current process of growth.

Awareness of Process

• They highlight that lacking awareness of one’s current process does not negate its existence; rather, it may lead to repeated experiences until learned lessons are embraced.

Family Discussion

Difficult Questions

• A challenging question posed by the speaker to their spouse was whether she would serve God regardless of circumstances, such as financial instability or job loss, indicating deep commitment to faith amidst trials.

Visual Exercise

Image Presentation

• The speaker introduces a visual exercise involving two images (a young woman and an old woman), illustrating how perceptions can differ based on conditioning and perspective. This serves as a metaphor for understanding different viewpoints in life.

Analysis of Perspectives

• Participants were guided to see both images within seconds, demonstrating how initial impressions can be influenced by prior conditioning—family, education, environment—all shaping our worldview.

Implications for Behavior

• The exercise concludes that perceptions directly influence attitudes and behaviors; seeing a young woman might prompt social engagement while seeing an older woman could inspire acts of kindness instead. Thus, our actions stem from what we perceive around us.

Understanding Integrity and Coherence in Beliefs

The Importance of Coherence

• The speaker emphasizes that integrity requires coherence between one's attitudes, actions, and perceptions. Without this alignment, true integrity cannot be maintained.

• An example is given where someone praises God's power on a Saturday but reacts negatively to a situation during the week, highlighting the inconsistency in behavior.

• Reference to James 1:8 illustrates that a double-minded person is unstable in all their ways, stressing the need for consistency in beliefs and actions.

Biblical Examples of Division in Perspectives

• The speaker discusses how divided perspectives can compromise integrity. They mention biblical stories as examples of differing viewpoints leading to varied outcomes.

Spies of Canaan

• In Numbers 13-14, ten spies report fearfully about giants in Canaan while Joshua and Caleb express faith in God’s promises. This contrast highlights how past experiences shape perceptions.

David vs. Goliath

• The story from 1 Samuel showcases spiritual vision versus human fear; David's faith contrasts with others' trepidation when facing Goliath.

Mary and Martha

• In Luke 10:38, Martha focuses on service while Mary prioritizes devotion by listening to Jesus. Their differing priorities reflect contrasting views on what is essential.

Personal Reflection on Identity and Transformation

• The speaker reflects on personal struggles with identity shaped by upbringing, expressing regret over blaming God for their nature.

Spiritual Transformation Necessity

• A hypothetical scenario is presented where one meets God after death and realizes missed opportunities due to lack of maturity and failure to embrace divine processes.

Scriptural Basis for Change

• Romans 5:12 explains that sin entered through one man affecting all humanity; thus everyone needs transformation away from original sin towards God's design.

Renewal of Mindset

• Ephesians 4:22–24 calls for shedding old nature influenced by deceitful desires and embracing a new self created in righteousness.

Conclusion on New Creation in Christ

• Emphasizing that despite our sinful nature at birth, being in Christ makes us new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17), underscoring the importance of spiritual rebirth for living according to God's will.

Understanding Change and Perspective

The Necessity of Repetition

• The speaker emphasizes that while the concepts shared may not be new, repetition is essential for progress. Understanding foundational ideas is crucial for advancement.

Changing Attitudes and Behaviors

• Attempting to change one's attitudes and behaviors through sheer willpower is deemed ineffective. The speaker reflects on personal struggles with changing perspectives without external help.

Subjective Perception of Reality

• People often believe they see things objectively, but perceptions are influenced by individual viewpoints. This subjectivity can distort understanding of reality.

Viewing Situations Through Different Lenses

• To address life's challenges effectively, one must choose to view situations from either a personal perspective or through a Christ-centered lens. This shift in perception can lead to transformative changes in behavior.

Governance by Christ

• Being governed by Christ not only transforms character but also grants true freedom from life’s circumstances. The analogy of a child’s dependence on parents illustrates this concept of divine governance.

The Role of Intimacy with God

Submitting to Divine Limits

• Unlike children who act freely, adults must willingly submit to God's boundaries, which fosters spiritual growth and reliance on divine provision.

Guarding the Heart

• The importance of guarding one’s heart is highlighted as a fundamental responsibility for believers. This involves maintaining awareness and understanding of one's inner self amidst worldly influences.

Eternal Perspective vs. Temporal Concerns

• A well-cared heart leads to an eternal mindset, prompting questions about purpose rather than mere reasons behind experiences. This shift encourages deeper engagement with life's challenges.

Navigating Life's Challenges

Asking "For What?" Instead of "Why?"

• When faced with difficulties, asking “for what” instead of “why” helps maintain connection with God’s process in our lives. It promotes learning rather than dwelling on grievances.

Disconnection from God's Process

• Failing to ask the right questions can lead individuals away from God’s intended path, resulting in feelings of depression or disconnection from faith practices like attending church or prayer.

Transformative Vision Through Christ

Centering Life Around Christ

• Recognizing Christ as the focal point in life allows individuals to perceive all situations through His lens, fostering unity and clarity in vision amid chaos.

Key Points for Transformation

• Seven key points are introduced as essential steps towards seeing life through Christ's perspective, aiming at transforming perceptions and aligning them with the Kingdom of God.

Understanding Christ as the Absolute Truth

The Nature of Truth in Christ

• Jesus presents Himself as "the way, the truth, and the life" in John 14:6, indicating that human perspectives are distorted by sin, but through Christ, we find absolute truth.

• Ephesians 4:23-24 teaches us to renew our minds and embrace a new identity created in righteousness and holiness. This renewal allows us to align our perceptions with the truth of Christ.

Transforming Our Perspective

• Romans 12:2 instructs believers not to conform to worldly patterns but to be transformed by renewing their minds, enabling them to discern God's perfect will.

• By studying Scripture diligently, we can change our thinking and view the world through a biblical lens.

Living by Faith

• 2 Corinthians 5:7 reminds us that we walk by faith, not by sight. This means trusting God's promises rather than being governed by immediate circumstances.

• Seeing beyond physical situations requires believing in God's promises for an eternal perspective.

The Impact of a Pure Heart

The Beatitudes and Heart Purity

• In Matthew 5:8, Jesus states that the pure in heart will see God. A clean heart is free from sin and fear, focusing on what God values.

• A vision shaped by Christ transforms not only how we see but also influences our attitudes and behaviors.

Daily Commitment to Purity

• We must daily surrender our hearts for purification so that our vision aligns with God's will. This leads us to view others through God's love.

Unity in Christ's Body

Corporate Life in Christ

• Philippians 2:5 calls us to adopt the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Believers are part of a corporate body where each member has unique roles contributing to collective well-being.

• This corporate life involves deep spiritual communion rather than mere external cooperation; it emphasizes functioning together for mutual benefit.

Viewing Situations Through Love

• Learning to see others as Christ does fosters compassion and mercy within the community of believers.

Guidance from the Holy Spirit

The Role of the Holy Spirit

• John 14:26 highlights that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. The Spirit helps us understand divine intentions and apply them practically.

Intimacy with God

• Engaging intimately with God through prayer allows Him to reveal His divine perspective on life’s challenges, transforming our attitudes accordingly.

Living with an Eternal Perspective

Focus on Eternal Values

• Colossians 3:1 encourages believers to set their minds on things above rather than earthly matters. Our decisions should reflect eternal truths instead of temporary concerns.

Decision-Making Based on Eternity

• Each situation should be viewed from an eternal standpoint which helps alleviate temporal worries while understanding trials under eternity's light.

Concluding Thoughts on Perception

Addressing Fearful Perspectives

• Personal reflections reveal fears about control and family stability influence how we perceive life's challenges; these feelings stem from deeper emotional struggles.

Unity in Vision

• Concluding this discussion emphasizes achieving unity in vision among believers—aligning thoughts with those of Christ requires individual commitment from each person involved.

A Journey of Transformation and Understanding

The Importance of Daily Decisions

• Emphasizes the significance of making decisions every moment, highlighting that these choices shape our experiences on Earth.

Reflecting God's Glory

• Discusses how everyone can approach God without barriers, reflecting His glory like mirrors as we transform into His image through the Holy Spirit.

Moving Beyond Stagnation

• Urges listeners not to remain in the same spiritual process throughout their lives, advocating for growth and change.

Seeking Clarity in Our Processes

• A prayerful request for guidance to identify current life processes and what lessons need to be learned or changes made.

Viewing Situations with Eternal Perspective

• Encourages adopting an eternal viewpoint to perceive problems as temporary challenges meant for personal growth.

Commitment to Personal Growth

• A personal declaration of commitment to seek intimacy with God, recognizing that His voice provides essential guidance and strength.

Submitting to Divine Governance

• Expresses a desire to submit thoughts and actions under the governance of the Holy Spirit, aiming for a pure heart free from negative influences.

Reflection on Repetitive Life Lessons

• Highlights the tendency for repetitive life situations due to pride and reluctance to change; emphasizes God's love in providing opportunities for growth.

Embracing Correction with Love

• Acknowledges that correction from others can be received more sweetly when it comes from those who have experienced similar struggles themselves.

Self-reflection Over Blame

• Calls for self-examination rather than blaming others when faced with challenges, emphasizing personal responsibility in spiritual growth.