Rose Colored Glasses
. . through . . . Scriptures . . . might have hope (Ro 15:4)
Sometimes optimistic people are accused of seeing life through “rose colored” glasses. Their vision supposedly is affected by an unrealistic perspective that blinds them to life’s negatives and accentuates only the positives. All Christians have predispositions that influence how the Bible is interpreted, and thus how life is viewed. These unconscious inclinations are often influenced by the “tradi- tions of men” which limit positive expectancy for the future (see Mark 7:13). Romans 15:4 tells us that hope results from proper Bible “learning.” Later in verse 13 we are told that joy, peace, and abounding hope come from believing. There should be a corresponding increase of hope in our lives that is propor- tional to the amount of the Bible we consume. Unfortunately, many church teachings limit hope. For example, most end times teachings decrease positive ex- pectation for lives, families, cities, and the nations of the world. As a result, many don’t live with hope and faith be- cause of a predisposition that believes the world is getting worse (and not better). This hopelessness indicates we need an alteration in our interpretation of Scripture. Truly, hope grows with each encounter with God’s Word and with the God of hope.
Declare: I see the Bible and life through “blood colored” glasses (seeing through the finished work of the cross). I therefore abound in hope for my life and for every- one con- nected to me. God’s promises are true. My prayers are powerful and effective. My hope helps release God’s king- dom in our midst.
Checklist to Ignite Faith ___ BR ___ RD ___ DD ___OD___ NF
How encouraging to know the assurance of comfort and hope we get from God’s Word. The more we ingest, the more it helps us be a positive influence on those around us.