A fact we often fail to admit is that we do not always see things as they are, but as we are. It is the state of our own inner being which determines our interpretation of life’s happenings. This is not to say we are purposely dishonest about our views. It is a reminder that our objectivity is influenced by many outside factors. We are conditioned to believe what we believe by many circumstances over which we have had little control. We were born into a family of thought patterns and preconceived notions from which we rarely depart. Seldom do we go against the political, educational, racial and religious environment that has birthed us. We are cradled in the arms of a set of precepts we were taught would last forever. This is not bad as long as we are willing to think for ourselves and make such truths a part of our own value system. We must distinguish, however, between inherited ideas and a personal encounter with God. So often we accept what is handed down with no questions asked. It is not until our faith is tested that we begin to scrutinize the content of our beliefs. There is emotional and spiritual strength in knowing what we believe and why we believe it. At some point along the journey we must stop living like spiritual parasites trying to imitate the faith of our fathers. Only when it becomes our faith do we fully appreciate what it meant to our fathers.
We are wise indeed if we understand the dynamics of a variety of influences that have converged upon us to make us who we are and cause us to think our kind of thoughts. Such knowledge frees us from inherited prejudices and enables us to find the truth that can make us free. Such freedom gives us a more objective way of looking at life’s events. We can begin to see things more as they are rather than as we are. We are able to shed our souls of biases which keep us chained to an unquestioned tradition.
Jesus came into the world with no preconceived notions. He was not locked into any set of principles He felt compelled to defend. He had no ego need to fulfill and nothing to prove. He came with love and truth as a message from the heavenly Father. The purity of His thoughts was evident in every teaching situation. His enemies were incensed by His departure from rules and regulations they held more holy than God Himself. Yet, Jesus saw things as they really were and made pronouncements on the basis of that reality.
He offers us the same spiritual objectivity today if we hunger for His truth and love. So, “let this mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus.” Who knows, we may find the courage to admit some errors of thought as we trust God who alone sees things as they really are.
