Dr. Dan Coflin
Pastor, River of Life Church
Who do you see when you look in the mirror? The answer should be obvious: “myself.” But how do you see yourself?
Some people concentrate on the body they see reflected and comment, usually out loud, “I’m too short, too tall, too fat, too thin, too young or too old. My ears are too big, my nose is too long, my hair should be a different color or it’s too short, it’s too long, or it’s too gone.” It seems we are seldom satisfied with our appearance.
Far more important than how we estimate our physical shortcomings or imperfections is how we see the person who is looking back at us in the mirror. We have a tendency to look at our shortcomings and failures instead of our strengths and victories. We could all rehearse times past when we said the wrong thing or acted foolishly or responded out of anger or hurt. Those times we may have been less than honest, when our actions or words wounded others or brought lasting hardship to someone else. I’m certain you may recall times when you sinned willfully just because you wanted to, without any regard for future consequences.
So many times those failures are what people see in their reflection. Their image is distorted by what they did wrong or failed to do right.
But, what if you could see yourself as God sees you? That is a terrifying thought for many people who only see God as a vengeful judge, a God who is focused on sin and punishment. It is true that God’s judgment is on sin, but the one who received God’s judgment for sin has fully paid the price. He died, taking the full force of God’s judgment upon himself and that judgment satisfied God’s justice for all eternity (2 Cor. 5:20, 21).
Last year, a song by the group “For King and Country,” was made popular on many Christian radio stations. The title of the song is ‘Priceless’ and it speaks of how God sees you.
“I see you dressed in white;
Every wrong made right;
I see a rose in bloom;
At the sight of you;
Oh, so priceless.
Irreplaceable, unmistakable, incomparable;
Darling, it’s beautiful;
I see it all in you; Oh, so priceless.”
Can you believe this is how God sees you? Perfect and without blemish, one who has been made accepted as God’s beloved (Col. 2:10; Eph. 1:6). You see when Jesus was on the cross he willingly received your judgment for your sin. He died for you. The fact he rose again shows God’s complete satisfaction in his sacrifice. Your sinless perfection is not determined by what you have done or have failed to do, but only determined by what Jesus did for you and whether or not you have received the pardon and forgiveness he offers. If you receive Jesus, then God is at work in you, helping you to willingly do his good pleasure (Phi. 3:13). Then you can look in the mirror and see past the temporary and into eternity.
Dr. Dan Coflin and his wife Dianne are co-pastors of River of Life Church in Lutz, FL.
410 Chapman Rd. East, Lutz, FL 33549
(813) 949-9931 • www.roltampa.org
We would love to invite you to visit River of Life Church on 410 East Chapman Rd. in Lutz. Our lively worship begins at 10:30 on Sunday morning, and our church is a non-denominational, spirit-filled ministry. So please honor us with your visit. We would love to have you!