Perspective, Persistence, Power – Part 1

Welcoming you to yet another insightful Kolumns topical discussion; with the expectation that what you hear and read would support and prop up your daily walk and relationship with God. The complete word study dictionary defines perspective as “a way to think, having a prudent, sensible mindset.” Watch this, your definition about yourself comes from who you are in Christ Jesus. Hence the Bible says, “Christ in me the hope of Glory.” Read Colossians 1:27 (NKJV). Your past does not define who you are, and don’t ever let your past truncate the beautiful future you have in Christ Jesus. The Bible says, Jesus is our model example, hence the scripture says, “And it is to this you were called; because Christ also suffered on your behalf, leaving you an example so that you should follow in His steps.” Read 1 Peter 2:21 (WEY). In other words, what Jesus did, we can do also, hence “Our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s.” Selah. Read 1 John 4:17b (MSG).

Now that we have some definition of the word – perspective; the next question we should ask ourselves is where do we get our perspective from? Let me elaborate a bit further, why do you think the way you think? Why do you have the mindset you have? As always, the Bible is our pillar and foundation of truth, therefore, let us see what the Bible says about where our perspective should not come from, “See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world) just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah).” Read Colossians 2:8 (AMPC). In other words, the so-called ideology and intellectualism of men (not gender specific), is termed as idle fancies and plain nonsense. Selah (pause and calmly think). I am not against intellectuals; as a matter of fact, I believe in achieving the highest level of academic qualification; but we should not allow our intellectualism rule our lives.

The book of Romans gives us clear indices about the implications of trusting and having a perspective outside Christ. “…Since these people refused even to think about God, He let their useless minds rule over them. That’s why they do all sorts of indecent things…” Read Romans 1:18-32 (CEV). I would encourage you to read the entire chapter, and I am sure you would be blessed by it. Beloved, there is nothing wrong with philosophy (the prism through which you view things) as long as it is in its proper context. When the word was used in Colossians 2:8, it carried with it a negative meaning. The Bible says, the “Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “what is this babbler trying to say?” Read Acts 17:18 (NIV). In other words, they mocked Jesus, and in like manner, you and I would be mocked for our beliefs and perspectives which is according to Christ.

So what should we base our perspective on? It’s right there in the scriptures in verse 8 of Colossians chapter 2, “After Christ.” What does this mean.? In other words, take your philosophy from Gods word, see through the eyes of the word.

Whatever is in the Bible is timeless and priceless; this is priceless truth.

We write. You read. Be encouraged.