Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas.” (John 1:42)
We have before us a word today a word that offers unimaginable strength and encouragement: When our Lord looks at us, he does not see us as we currently are, but rather as what we will one day be. Let that truth set you free to be all that God is calling you to be today.
When Jesus looked at Simon, He saw what Peter was. But that’s not all! Jesus also saw what he was to become: Cephas, the rock, which is Peter. And what did Peter become, by God’s grace, throughout his walk with the Lord? Did he become perfect? No, but he did become a rock of growing righteousness, a rock settled solidly on the foundation of an unshakable faith. Remember, our Lord knew that Peter would deny Him three times on the night He was betrayed. Yet Jesus saw past Peter’s cowardly denials to his deliverance and ultimate destiny as a disciple who would one day die for his faith.
But there is something more going on here. Jesus not only sees you for what you will one day be, He is also working to conform you into that image day by day. The same grace that saved you is the grace that is sanctifying you all the way into glory. God’s plan and purpose for your life includes His power to carry that work on to completion.
It is true that God loves us just the way we are, but it is equally true that He loves us far too much to leave us there. When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, He knew He was speaking to a murderer on the run from Egypt. But God also knew that Moses was so much more than a hot-headed fugitive, and now was the time to make Moses into the deliverer of His people Israel.
Christian, regardless of what your past has been, it does not equal your future. The Lord is looking at you today, and what does He see? He sees past what you currently are to what you will one day be. Do you see it too? Keep looking to Jesus and soon you will!
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 