My Perspective Has Changed

The following was written by Bart McCurdy.

This is how I use to look at creation.


And this how I see creation, today.


This use to be how I saw the stars.


But this is how I see them, now.


My perspective has changed--not only in how I view the world around me, but also how I view people. You see--this is how I use to see people.


But when I look at the people around me I see many of them this way.


The question I had to ask myself is this. "Why did I use to view all these things so differently? What happened?"

Here's the answer.

Nearly 4 years ago, I heard a message, Hell's Best Kept Secret, by a man named Ray Comfort. Comfort explains how God sees us in light of His standard, The Ten Commandments. Once the Law was held in front of me like a mirror, I finally saw myself as God sees me. I had broken every single one of those commandments in either thought, word, or deed--and many of them thousands of times.

I came to realize, by the grace of God, that I was a dirty, rotten, wretched violator of His law and that He would be justified in sending me to hell for all of eternity. I finally saw that all my “good works” were as filthy rags in His sight, I deserved hell.

The Good News was that 2,000 years ago God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, to come down to this puny earth and take the punishment that I deserved. You see--Jesus Christ never once sinned, He never looked at a girl with lust (which is adultery of the heart) like I did. He never once lied or stole anything, like I did. He never once murdered in his heart by hating anyone, like I did. He never used His Holy name in vain or worshiped another god, like I did. He never once wanted something that belonged to someone else, like I did so many times. It’s absolutely amazing that He died for me, a sinner, I don’t deserve it.

When God opened my eyes with His law, I could do nothing but repent, I told God how sorry I was about sinning against Him, I knew I needed to turn from my sins and put my trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of my sins. I understood that He received the full weight of the wrath of God, that He died, and that He rose again on the third day! He paid the price for my sins in His life’s blood. And now, my sins are forgiven--past, present and future--and when I die, I will spend eternity with the God of the universe. This same God is the One who created everything we see (and the things we cannot see), from the dirt fields, to the stars in the sky--and yes, the people on this planet.

Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:34-39).

Because of my gratitude to Jesus Christ for what He did for me on the cross, I do my best to obey this command. I cannot live up to God's standard, and doing so doesn't make me right with God. I want to obey Him because I love Him and I am grateful for saving me from the just penalty for my sins against Him.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Now, I look at creation completely different. I see flowers as incredibly beautiful, wonderful plants created by an Amazing God! I see the stars and think, “Wow! God must be incredibly powerful!” And now, I see people as souls--souls that could someday die and spend eternity in hell, apart from the Holy, Infinite, Amazingly Kind, Loving, Merciful God. I couldn’t imagine that--not anymore.

And if I love my neighbor as myself, then I will warn them of the wrath to come and share with them the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.