God sees the world as being corrupted, ruptured and contaminated by human sin. This is not in accord with His intent when He created the world and breathed life into Adam.
Humanity was created to live, worship and enjoy God forever and be a steward of creation. But due to its rebellion, the world spiralled into darkness, being tainted by its sin.
And human history is replete with wars, violence and strife, stemming from pride, evil and sin that are embedded in the human heart. And God’s heart aches when He sees humanity’s plight where ultimate death, destruction and doom awaits.
But because of God’s deep love for men and women, He humiliated Himself for their sake by sending His beloved Jesus to die on the cross and be resurrected so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. Paradoxically, God’s voluntary act of humiliation is also a manifestation of His glory. A glory reflective of His love, justice and mercy. As John 3:16 says,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
From God’s perspective of the world, everyone needs salvation through the blood of our risen Lord. God sees a fallen world, a world filled with suffering that can only be restored by His sacrificial act of love in Jesus. He therefore adopts a proactive stance by offering the gospel to draw men and women into a loving relationship with Him. He offers abounding hope amid darkness.
And as believers, shouldn’t our world vision be like God’s? A world in need of mercy, a world in need of God’s grace and therefore a world in need of Jesus. And our world vision should grow in depth and clarity as we mature more in Christ. This should motivate us to share the gospel with vitality, vigour and veracity. We should embrace our role as Jesus’ ambassadors to offer people a hope that will not fail.
But to do so, our world vision must mirror that of God’s. Only then, can we serve Him purposefully, intentionally and fervently. Only then, can we be used by God to save souls. And only then, can we have a sure and abounding hope that rests on the work of our Lord Jesus!
So, when it comes to the world, does your heart see what God sees?