Bible verses referenced
John 1:1-5 (KJV)
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was true in the beginning with God. All things were made by him,and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
John 1:9-14 (KJV)
"That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
Colossians 1:15-17 (KJV)
"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."
Hebrews 1:3 (KJV)
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."
2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
John 10:10 (KJV)
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly."
John 17:21-23 (KJV)
"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."
Romans 8:29-30 (KJV)
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."
Ephesians 1:5-6 (KJV)
"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
Acts 17:28 (KJV)
"For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your poets have said, For we are also his offspring."
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Introduction: The Only Opinion That Matters
- God’s Unchanging Opinion of Us
- Beholding His Glory: What It Means
- Living Face-to-Face With God
- Renewing Your Mind: Transformation Through Truth
- The Glory of God: His View and Opinion
Introduction: The Only Opinion That Matters
The core message of this teaching is that the only opinion that truly matters is God’s. From the beginning of creation, God’s view of humanity has been one of love, acceptance, and grace. Unlike the ever-changing opinions of people, God’s perspective is eternal and unchanging. As believers, we are invited to live from this truth, allowing it to shape our lives from the inside out.
God’s Unchanging Opinion of Us
God sees us as holy, blameless, and complete in Christ (Colossians 1:15-17). While the world often defines people by their failures or achievements, God’s opinion is rooted in His eternal plan for us. He calls us His children, adopted into His family through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5-6). This truth frees us from the burden of seeking validation from others.
Beholding His Glory: What It Means
To "behold His glory" means to attentively and purposefully reflect on who God is and who we are in Him. John 1:14 describes Jesus as the living expression of God’s glory, full of grace and truth. By meditating on this glory, we are transformed into the same image, as Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 3:18. This beholding is not a casual glance but an intentional focus that changes us from the inside out.
Living Face-to-Face With God
The Bible emphasizes a relationship with God that is intimate and face-to-face. In John 17:21-23, Jesus prayed for believers to experience the same unity with the Father that He shared. This “face-to-face” relationship symbolizes a perfect union where God’s nature is reflected in us. Hebrews 1:3 reinforces this by describing Jesus as the "express image" of God, a mirror for us to see our true identity in Him.
Renewing Your Mind: Transformation Through Truth
Romans 8:29-30 highlights the process of transformation through the renewing of our minds. This involves aligning our thoughts and language with God’s truth, replacing negative or false self-perceptions with the reality of who we are in Christ. As we meditate on scripture, like John 10:10, which speaks of abundant life, our perspective shifts, and our actions align with God’s will.
The Glory of God: His View and Opinion
In the Greek, “glory” (doxa) means "view and opinion." God’s glory is His view and opinion of us, which He bestowed upon believers through Jesus (John 17:22). This view includes abundance, honor, splendor, and majesty. Understanding and embracing God’s opinion transforms how we see ourselves and others, enabling us to live in the fullness of His promises.
FAQ
Q: What does “living from the inside out” mean?
It means allowing God’s truth about who we are to shape our lives, rather than external opinions or circumstances. It starts with renewing our minds and seeing ourselves as God sees us—holy, righteous, and blameless.
Q: What is God’s opinion of us?
God sees us as complete, loved, and worthy through Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:15-17). He calls us His children and desires a face-to-face relationship with us (John 17:21-23).
Q: How does beholding God’s glory transform us?
As described in 2 Corinthians 3:18, we are transformed into His image when we focus on God’s glory. This transformation happens through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Q: What is the significance of John 17:21-23?
This passage highlights Jesus’ prayer for unity between believers and God. It reflects Jesus's oneness with the Father and reveals God’s desire for intimate fellowship with us.
Q: How does God’s “glory” relate to His opinion?
In the Bible, “glory” is often synonymous with God’s view and opinion. His opinion of us is rooted in love, acceptance, and the identity He has given us through Jesus.
This article provides a detailed exploration of living from the inside out, helping believers align their lives with God’s unchanging truth.