We all see life differently. But did you know how you see it shapes it and determines its direction and what might happen? I knew that how I saw life would affect my reactions and some of my choices, but I never thought to consider how my worldview is actually wrong.
A worldview is the belief on which we base our lives. Some popular worldviews are materialism, atheism, and hedonism. You could argue that some worldviews are better than others but honestly, it’s not worth the time.
Regardless of what our beliefs are they determine our behaviour and actions. Or as Rick Warren said in this chapter – ‘your unspoken life metaphor influences you.’ So if you believe that life is a party then you just automatically chase fun without thinking about it. Not thinking about it that can be our downfall, so let’s think about it.
HOW TO CHANGE YOUR WORLDVIEW
If our worldview is a problem what can we do about it? We can replace it with a biblical one. So how do we change our worldview?
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 CSB
Change starts in the mind and if we want a biblical worldview we need to start with the source – the bible. When we open God’s Word we learn the truth and the Holy Spirit within us works a transformation within us that renews our mind over time. So we need to be diligent in reading the bible and make an effort to keep turning to it.
When we know what is true we can discern lies and deceit at work in our lives and in the choices we have made. Knowing this we must choose to turn from our old ways and align our life with the truth, with God’s Word. When we do this we must also begin to step out in faith following the purpose that God has set before us. This is how we build a biblical worldview.
But if we really want to make our worldview change for good there are six things we must keep in mind. The three metaphors that describe how God views life and the three rewards that wait for us if we stick to a biblical worldview.
GOD’S VIEW OF LIFE
The three metaphors that teach us how God views life are also the foundation of a purpose-driven life. That’s because, with these metaphors in mind, the way we see life becomes focused on living life God’s way according to His purpose.
LIFE IS A TEST
If you’ve been around Christians long enough you’re sure to have heard the phrase ‘God is really testing me today.’ When we hear that we assume wrongly as I have learned that not all of life is a test, just parts of it. But no, every day we wake up the test begins and will do until the end of time.
Everything we do is part of the test because even the smallest of actions has an impact for good or bad. Every idea can have a consequence we don’t know about. God tests our character, love, loyalty, faith and integrity. These tests also help us to grow and they develop our character or sometimes they reveal it which can show where we need to change.
We don’t need to worry about life being a test because God wants us to pass He provides a way out no matter how hard it is.
An important test to know is what to do when God is silent or when we can’t feel His presence. How we act at such times reveals what we value in life.
“No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 CSB
An example of a failed test comes in the form of Adam and Eve. They both ate from the forbidden tree which set the world on the path it’s on today. An example of success would be Daniel who stayed true to God even in exile in Babylon. He was faithful in all He was given and stayed true to God’s Word even to the threat of death.
There are many more examples of failures and successes in the bible but the important thing to note is that even if they failed it doesn’t mean that was the end of their story with God. Daily repentance and seeking God’s forgiveness is essential.
We can find hope and comfort in knowing that if we are successful in our tests God is faithful to reward us. We’ll learn more about this later but it is good to keep in mind that God will bless us both in this life and the next if we are successful in our tests.
“Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 CSB
LIFE IS A TRUST
From the beginning, God entrusted us with taking care of this world and everything in it. He created us to be stewards. He holds us to a higher standard than the world to look after this world and its people the best that we can.
“God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.” Genesis 1:28 CSB
Everything we have, we have it because God gave it to us. Everyone we know and love only exists because God created them. We wouldn’t even have the world we live in without Him. God is the reason for life and if He trusted us to look after everything after all He has given us wouldn’t it be wrong not to?
When we die God will ask us how we handled what He gave us, we will be evaluated and rewarded based on the answer we give. Do we really want to say that we only served ourselves? I think not.
KEY VERSE
“Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones.” Luke 16:10 NLT
I left the key verse from today’s chapter until now because it is most effective at this point. By now you know that the way you see the world is likely wrong. You know some of the ways God views life to help you change into a more biblical worldview and you know the steps it takes to do that.
And knowing all that I’d like to think you know how important it is to be faithful with all that He has given you. God has to be able to trust us with the small things before we can be trusted with greater responsibilities.
REWARDS IN ETERNITY
Three rewards await us in Heaven if we are successful in our tests, in doing life God’s way.
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.” Matthew 25:21 CSB
This verse in Matthew 25 tells us the three awards are affirmation, promotion and celebration.
Just like in this parable, the master congratulates the servant on a job well done so it will be with us if we are faithful to obey. As mentioned in the key verse those who are faithful with little will be tasked with greater responsibility and trust, we will also be rewarded in that way. We don’t know exactly what this promotion may be but if means serving God in a greater way it is certainly a good reward.
This verse speaks of the master’s joy at his servant’s faithfulness. Imagine this on a grander scale and that will be what it’s like when we get to Heaven. There will be celebrations not only that you have finally come home to be in the presence of God but great delight that you were faithful with what God entrusted you with.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected.” Luke 12:48 CSB
Now we know how God views life and the importance of having a biblical worldview. It’s going to be challenging to change that worldview but to change is worth more than not changing. It will take discipline and self-control to change but unfortunately, our intentions will not be enough. Intentions are nothing without action.
I’d encourage you to reflect on what your current worldview is and to take steps toward having a biblical worldview. It really will be worth it.
If you were paying attention well enough you may have noticed I only covered two of the three metaphors of life that God views life through. You’ll find out about it in the next post so stay tuned.
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Wholeheartedly Faithul 
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