In our world, there are many different beliefs about God, many of which are inaccurate. Because they are based on opinion and personal belief instead of fact from God’s own word. One area that many people have a wrong view of and that causes many to struggle is how God sees them. Believing He is angry with them, hates them for what they have done, or wants to punish them in hell. Which scripture teaches isn’t the case for anyone. Within the pages of the Bible, we are able to see how God views every group of people. Such as the lost, prodigals, sinning “believers”, and the righteous Christians. With one response thing being true for every person no matter where they are in life.

Where are you?

Lost Sinners

Jesus Christ came to earth in order to save the lost. He didn’t come only for those who are good, but for all people. Because all people have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. If you are reading this then know that Jesus came and died so that you could live. Freed from sin and gifted eternal life in Heaven. The most used verse from the Bible tells us just that.

John 3:16 (ESV)

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

So when God looks at the lost He sees people that He loves unconditionally. People who He wants to offer love and grant salvation too. He doesn’t see a problem or people that need to be punished. Nor does He look at those lost in their sins with anger or hate towards them. In fact, scripture tells that Jesus has yet to come out of the love He has for all people. Giving every person every opportunity to be saved.

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

God views lost people with compassion like a doctor seeing a sick patient. He sees they are hurting and wants nothing more than to help them. To heal them of everything that troubles them. But He is waiting for them to reach out to Him.

We can see how God views the lost by looking at how Jesus responded to people while on earth. It was actually Jesus himself who first compared God’s role to that of a doctor when asked why He associated with sinners.

Mark 2:15–17 (ESV)

15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” 

Jesus never condemned the lost or even rebuked them for their actions. Instead, He showed them love and compassion. Offering them forgiveness instead of punishment. Even when a woman was brought to Him that was caught in the act of sin He offers her forgiveness.

John 8:4–11 (ESV)

4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” 

All this being said it must be said that God still sees those who are lost as headed for destruction. Because they do not believe they will not be saved. As well as the fact that they are continuing to live in sin and scripture is clear that those who live sinful lifestyles will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Mark 16:16 (ESV)

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

None of this changes the fact that God loves you nor does it mean He hates you. It just shows that God is just and will uphold his word. God’s love is able to change his view of you if you are lost. You don’t have to be seen as headed for destruction if you will place your faith in Him and follow the plan of salvation He has laid out in scripture.

Acts 2:37–38 (ESV)

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

If you don’t know God then you are lost and that is just how God sees you. He sees you as someone in need of Him and what He has to offer.  The Lord is willing to reach into your life and bless you. God doesn’t hate you for the way that you have lived or anything you have done. Nor does He see you as the sin you may believe defines your life. All God truly sees you as is a person He deeply loves and wants to be close too. Never believe that God sees you as despicable or without any hope. Jesus came to earth in love to save the lost and that is still what He wants to do today.

Luke 19:10 (ESV)

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” 

Prodigals

Prodigals those who had the truth and knew God but chose to walk away from Him often believe God sees them in the worst light. Believing God no longer won’t accept them back because they have done too much wrong. Or because they messed up to many times before. But none of that is the case.

Jesus taught on this subject greatly. We only can assume that is because He wanted to ensure that prodigals would know how God sees them. Jesus illustrated that God sees them as children that have decided to live their family behind to go their own way. Going on to show that as a father longing for His son to return. God is waiting for those who have walked away from Him to come back. He wants to meet them with open arms and celebrate their return.

Luke 15:11–13 (ESV)

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

Luke 15:20–24 (ESV)

20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. 

Luke 15:28–31 (ESV)

28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

God doesn’t see prodigals as problem children. Nor does He want to see them suffer on their own. He sees every prodigal as His own lost child that He loves dearly and only wants to come home. But like unto the lost God does see prodigals as people headed for destruction. Because they turned away from Him to follow after sinful pleasure. Yet, through God’s grace and mercy, there is good news for the prodigal. Just as you turned from righteous to wickedness you can turn back again and be saved.

Ezekiel 18:26–28 (ESV)

26 When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. 27 Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. 28 Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

God sees every one of His lost children as someone who can be forgiven. The very same God that called believers to always forgive others is willing to do the same. There is no limit to God’s forgiveness. All you have to do is turn to Him in repentance.

Matthew 18:21–22 (ESV)

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. 

Don’t believe that God has had enough of you or won’t accept you back into the church. Trust in His own word and know that if you return God would be overfilled with joy. Accepting you back into His arms in an instant. He is willing and ready to forgive you for all that you have done. Because when God looks at you His sees his own child that He loves and cares deeply for.

Sinning “Believers”

Every Christian will have their falls to sins that are just part of living in a fallen world. But that is not the group I would refer to as sinning “believers”. Those who occasionally succumb to temptation and quickly turn to God in true repentance are simply believers.  While sinning “believers” are those who know they are living in sin and either believe God will not punish them for it. Or live outside of God’s will for any reason while believing they serve Him. Like those who Jesus told of who knew of God but were still not granted entrance to Heaven.

Matthew 25:41–46 (ESV)

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” 

Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV)

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 

The sad truth for these people is while they may see themselves as saved God sees them as lost. He sees them as those who do not love Him because they choose to not keep His commandments. Nor does he see them as those who know Him because they make a practice of sinning. Like the lost and prodigals the Lord sees them that don’t live like it and knows they are headed down a wicked path away from the glories of heaven. 

John 14:15 (ESV)

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

1 John 3:6 (ESV)

6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

But sinning “believers” are not without hope because God still sees them through a lens of love. As people who can still be forgiven for their trespasses. Whom He wants to pour out mercy and compassion on. Just like He sees and feels about the lost and prodigals. God’s love knows no bounds and even those who have claimed to serve Him while continuing to live are looked upon by God with an open heart. Hoping they will change their ways and willing to excepting them when they do. 

Righteous Christians 

As we have already seen God loves all mankind and desires the best for everyone. But righteous Christians those who have received the salvation He offers hold a special place in His heart. They are seen as His own children. As He adopted them into His own family.

John 1:12 (ESV)

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Ephesians 1:5 (ESV)

5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

2 Corinthians 6:18 (ESV)

18  and I will be a father to you, 

and you shall be sons and daughters to me, 

  says the Lord Almighty.” 

Nothing is greater than to be seen as a child of the Father as it encompasses so much. Such as redeemed, cleansed from past sins, righteous, blessed, headed for the promised land, and so much more. God sees Christians through a love that nothing can ever change no matter how hard it may try.

Romans 8:38–39 (ESV)

38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

If you are a Christian know that God sees you as His child. That he loves you so much and wants the best for you in every situation. Don’t let bad times convince you otherwise but know that in the bad time’s God’s love is right there with you. Helping you through and working all things for your good. 

Romans 8:35–37 (ESV)

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, 

  “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; 

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

In God’s eyes, no Christian is a failure, not good enough, or like someone, He can no longer use. Even when believers fall to sin God does not see them as people without hope. Yes, it is our goal to live without sin but if we do sin we have an advocate with the father. God does not look at those who have followed the plan of salvation and are doing the best to keep living for Him in a negative light. Even when Christians mess up he is there to help and is always willing to give those who believe one more chance to be used.

1 John 2:1–2 (ESV)

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

The Key Theme

Look at how God views each of these groups. One key theme rises out of each, love. No matter who you are, where you are, or what you have done or are still doing God loves you. His heart is toward you and He wants to see have a relationship with you. God looks over the whole world and sees His creation that He loves and wants nothing more than to bless. That is why he sent Jesus to take our place and freely offer every person salvation.

Don’t believe that God looks at you in anger or hate because that isn’t the case. He doesn’t want to punish you in hell in fact hell was never meant for mankind. It was created to punish the devil and his wicked angels. Sadly though many have been following him to that perilous place. Only if they would turn and place their faith in Christ they would be gifted a much brighter future. 

Matthew 25:41 (ESV)

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

God sees everyone and everything including the motives of the heart. So it is so important that you know how God sees you in whatever situation or group you find yourself in. Don’t believe the devil’s lies that hopes will keep you from the truth about how God sees you. Know that no matter what you have done or what your facing God is looking at you with love. He sees a better future for you if you will only place your trust in Him.

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