I have and do use this word in different situations. It is an interesting and a very important word. The Merriman-Webster Dictionary says that perspective is a
”mental view or prospect”. Yet, if you look further you will find it says that perspective is “the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance”.
You might or might not think that this importance is the difference between mental view and viewing in true relation or importance. However, it is extremely important because when you consider the definition and its meaning you find that how we mentally view something might not involve the time to consider the true relations or relative importance the matter deserves.
Actually this happens a lot with people today. Whether in the workplace, the home or the church. Perspective becomes lost because the time and effort to consider closely what is happening or going on is no longer or not even present. We have all seen it and there is no reason to feel bad or beat yourself up over it, because we are human and we make mistakes. What should happen is that we learn from our mistakes. Whatever they are and in whatever context they exist. No matter what the thing we are doing we will make mistakes and we need to learn from them.
Now I must admit that when you consider the world view and what is happening it seems difficult to see how some think things are fine. It does not appear that way to me but then again it never really has. Yes, there are times of peace and tranquillity and it seems that all is well with the world. Then times, such as today, and it seems that all hell has broken loose. With that thought in mind, I probably lean toward that view that all hell has broken loose. We may well be years, months, weeks, days, hours or even minutes away from God sending His Son to get His church. Let’s be honest that the world is not ready and if you think about it honestly it never can be because it will continue to get worse because satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he might devour.
I was recently talking to a church leader and discussing some things they have encountered recently. One of his concerns is that people’s perspective on some things was wrong. He is probably right because when we look at the definition their ”mental view or prospect” is all that they are recognizing. That is the carnal man, not the spiritual man. In order to see things in the spiritual, which is in “the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance”. The point is that many aren’t looking for what God wants but what they want.
People have a very unique way of justifying things even though they know in their heart it is wrong. The Apostle Paul said it so well-
Romans 7:18-20
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
Then he concluded with this conclusion in verses 24-25
24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
I think it obvious that Paul had the correct perspective.
In God’s Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy
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