Your Worldview
What’s your view of the world? Ever thought about your beliefs concerning the ‘big picture’? If you’re a believer it’s vital that you have a worldview because Jesus spoke often on the subject. As Christians our worldview should be shaped by scripture but it’s difficult to always define what is meant by world. For example:
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. John 1:9-10 ESV
John uses this auspicious word in several ways; let’s consider several. First of all, we know that God created the world, kosmos, and when He looked at everything He called it ‘very good’. World can mean God’s orderly creation that works in harmony with His will. John writes that Jesus was present at creation (John 1:1-5), the light in a dark world given for everyone, however, not everyone would receive Him.
Did you notice that world became strictly humanity? John narrowed his worldview to people: believers and unbelievers. As we continue reading we find these words:
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:11-13 ESV
John’s worldview needs to be ours. When we believe in Jesus we become part of His family and are spiritually reborn into this world. Our relationship with Him, based on His Word, becomes our worldview because we recognize Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (1:29). Amazing, isn’t it?
Reflecting back to creation we see another aspect of the world. Satan. He confronted Jesus, tempting Him:
And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. Luke 4:5-6 ESV
Satan was given temporary authority, Jesus called him the ‘ruler of this world‘ several times (John 12:29, 14:30, 16:11), and declared his demise. It seems as if Jesus is tweaking our worldview to include not only believers and unbelievers but also the devil’s influence. That may be why there seems to be contradictions in scripture concerning God loving the world (John 3:16) but instructing us:
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:25 ESV
Let’s intentionally study Jesus’ worldview together and consider whether or not we are in alignment.
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