In God's Eyes: Devotions From Time Of GraceÖrnek

In God’s eyes I’m forgiven

Billy Crystal used to appear on "Saturday Night Live" doing a smarmy parody of actor Fernando Lamas that he called “Fernando’s Hideaway.” He would do “interviews” with celebrity guests, assuring them, “You look mahvelous, simply mahvelous. Remember, it’s not how you feel but how you look.”

In a strange coincidence, God could say that same thing about your relationship with him. I have talked to any number of people over the years who didn’t seem to be following active Christianity in any serious way, but they assured me that they “felt good” about going to heaven someday. Feelings are often wrong. But what God sees is never wrong. He knows who the fakers and poseurs and hypocrites are. He also knows who the real believers are.

When you came to faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, your appearance changed. Washed of your sins; wearing now the holiness of Christ as though it were a robe; connected by faith to Christ’s suffering, death, burial, and resurrection; you are a new person. “‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool’” (Isaiah 1:18). You can rejoice in your new identity. You have new strength and motivation to live your new identity.

You know, in God’s eyes you look mahvelous, simply mahvelous.