Not on the World, not on Yourself, but As He Is!

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

As He is, so are we in this world. . .

Many believers focus on the world. They see the lack, they see the hardships, they see the problems, just like the ten Timid Spies in Numbers 13, who gave an evil report. Not just because of the sheer size of their problems, but also in looking at themselves, they saw themselves as inadequate and unable to stand up to them:

"And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." (Number 13: 33)

"We were in our own sight". . .they were looking at their skills, their prowess, everything that they had, and they found themselves wanting, as is inevitably the case:

"That no flesh should glory in his [God's] presence." (1 Corinthians 1: 29)

But then Paul tells us who we are -- in Christ, as He is:

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

"That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1: 30-31)

Returning to the Israelites before the Promised Land, there is a clear example of those chosen by God who look at the world and at themselves. But Caleb, one of the two True Spies, saw who God is, and how He is:

"If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.

"Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not." (Number 14: 8-9)

Now we know that the Lord delights in us, because He as accepted us in His Son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1: 6), and He loves us as much as His own Son (John 17: 23).

"The LORD" -- the Covenant Name -- "is with us." Yet we have something greater than the Israelites then: we have Christ in us (Colossians 1: 27), and we stand before God as His own Son!

Rather than striking out or turning away from any challenges, let us rest in who we are in Him, let us fix our eyes on Him we sits at the right hand of the Father (Colossians 3: 1-3), the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12: 2). As He is, the more that we see Him, then so are we -- strong, stable, and certain as our enemies are brought to our feet -- in this world, a world which He has overcome through His death and resurrection (John 16: 33).