The cynicism and doubt about Paul’s leadership in the Corinthian church arose because they were applying a worldly way of thinking in their assessment of him. So, Paul points out that being a Christian involves a completely different way of perceiving others. “So from now on,” he says, “we regard no one from a worldly point of view.” It was, after all, the worldly point of view that caused people to reject Jesus. To see people from a worldly point of view is to see the false self that they project; a façade made up of outward attributes and achievements. To see someone like this is to objectify them. This is exactly what ruins human relationships, when we treat each other as objects and value each other based on outward qualities. To love someone, by contrast, is to see and value them for who they are: a sacred and beloved child of God. When we become Christians, we learn to see ourselves in the light of God’s love. We therefore forsake the old false self, the façade, and embrace the true person that we are. We stop building the old façade and focus on growing the true self. As we become true to ourselves so too are we able to see other people differently. We see past the façade, and we are able to love the person. When I am reconciled to God through Christ, therefore, I am reconciled both with myself and with others. We no longer see others by the outward distinctions between us, but in terms of our common humanity. We can then help others see themselves as children of God.
Ask God to help you see people the way he sees them.
Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
