I must learn to distinguish between “human nature” and “people.” Jesus did not trust human nature, for “He Himself knew what was in man” (John 2:25). Paul said he had “no confidence in the flesh [human nature]” (Philippians 3:3). Further, he said he did not want to know people according to the laws of human nature (2 Corinthians 5:16). I must pattern my relationships to people as Jesus did.
But that is where I fail. How can I distrust human nature without rejecting people? How can I love someone whose nature I cannot trust?
I have to bring a third person into the relationship. It must be a triangle. I must never relate to anyone without including Jesus in the relationship. If I do, I will either become disappointed or suspicious. I must realize that while human nature is not redeemable, people are. God cannot save human nature, but He can save a person from his nature. “God so loved the world”—the world of people, not the principle of human nature.
If I expect too much of my loved ones and friends, I will be disappointed. But I can expect infinities of them if I am trusting Jesus in them. It is “Christ in you” who is “the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). I must always look at people—enemies, friends, family—not as “you” but as “Christ in you.” Then my enemies will not become threats and my loved ones will not become snares.
Lord, I need to keep my temper and feelings out of the way and let nothing interfere with “Christ in them,” which gives me hope for what would be a hopeless task otherwise. The potential person, not the real, is my goal; and the poten- tial keeps me from groveling in despair.
“Therefore from now on we recognize no man according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer” (2 Corinthians 5:16).
Daily with the King 