Seeing people as Jesus does begins with letting His Word correct our eyes. Scripture is true, clear, and sufficient for shaping how we view every person. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). By His grace we learn to look through the lens of the cross and the empty tomb.

Jesus came near to real sinners with real compassion and unflinching purpose. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). In Him, our perspective changes: “So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh” (2 Corinthians 5:16).

Image-Bearers, Not Projects

Every person bears the stamp of their Creator. “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). This anchors dignity from the unborn to the elderly, the poor to the powerful, the friend to the foe.

Viewing others as image-bearers reshapes evangelism and discipleship. We move from fixing people as projects to honoring persons made by God, fallen in sin, and reachable by grace. The truth of creation steadies us in debates and difficulties, because God has already spoken clearly and literally about what a human is.

- Dignity shapes tone and touch.

- Humility replaces superiority.

- Curiosity replaces assumptions.

- Patience replaces hurry.

Compassion Without Compromise

Jesus is “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). His people speak “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Compassion refuses to minimize sin, and conviction refuses to minimize mercy. Real love calls people to repentance and life in Christ.

Holiness and tenderness walk together. We aim to gently restore the wandering (Galatians 6:1), to “save others by snatching them from the fire” (Jude 23), and to offer reasons for our hope “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Truth with tears reflects the heart of our Savior.

- Lead with the gospel, not opinions.

- Name sin clearly, promise grace confidently.

- Invite accountability and offer practical help.

- Keep the cross central in every conversation.

Seeing Beyond the Surface

People often project strength while carrying deep wounds. “The LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7), so we learn slow, attentive love. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19). Good listening honors God’s image in others.

There is also a spiritual battle under the surface. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12). “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4). We ask the Father to draw people to the Son (John 6:44), and we persevere in prayer as we speak.

- Pray before, during, and after hard talks.

- Look for common grace and points of contact.

- Name lies with Scripture and replace them with truth.

- Celebrate small steps toward the light.

From Transactions to Tables

Jesus moved toward people in ordinary spaces—wells, roads, homes, and tables. He redeemed interruptions and turned meals into ministry. The gospel thrives where presence is normal and conversations are unhurried.

Hospitality makes the invisible visible. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers” (Hebrews 13:2). Jesus identifies personally with the overlooked: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me” (Matthew 25:40). Ordinary welcome opens extraordinary doors.

- Share a regular meal with neighbors or coworkers.

- Leave margin for unplanned needs.

- Learn names and stories, remember details, follow up.

- Honor people’s time with punctuality and care.

Everyday Habits That Retrain Our Eyes

Sight follows saturation. Scripture renews our minds and refocuses our hearts. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). As we behold Christ in the Word, we begin to see people through Him.

Christlike vision grows through simple, repeated practices. We train our gaze the way athletes train reflexes: over time, with intention, and under authority.

- Word-first mornings: read, note one truth about God and one truth about people (John 17:17).

- Prayerful presence: ask for open doors and open hearts (Colossians 4:3).

- Slow speech: be “quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19).

- Encouraging words: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6).

- Gospel readiness: offer hope “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

- Assume the best: love “believes all things, hopes all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7).

- Weekly witness: one intentional gospel conversation each week (Acts 1:8).

In the Church and On Mission

Love inside the church trains our eyes for the world. “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another” (John 13:34–35). Welcoming one another as Christ welcomed us glorifies God (Romans 15:7).

That love spills outward. We carry the Great Commission with the compassion of the Great Commandment. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37–38).

- In the church: outdo one another in honor, refuse partiality, bear burdens, and restore gently (James 2:1; Galatians 6:1–2).

- On mission: go to all peoples, learn cultures, preach Christ crucified and risen, plant and strengthen churches (Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 14:21–23).

When It Is Hard

Enemies and difficult people become opportunities to display Christ. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). “If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). Love holds fast to truth while refusing bitterness.

Correction requires calm courage. The Lord’s servant refuses quarrels and persists in gentle instruction so that God might grant repentance (2 Timothy 2:24–26). Show mercy to the wavering (Jude 22). Keep eternity in view and keep your conscience clear.

- Check your heart for pride and resentment.

- Pray blessing over those who oppose you.

- Set wise boundaries without withdrawing love.

- Persist in kindness and clarity over time.

- Entrust outcomes to God.

Eyes Fixed on Jesus

We see people rightly because He first saw and loved us. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). At the cross God’s love stands beyond dispute, and in the resurrection His power to save stands beyond doubt (John 3:16).

Keeping our eyes on Jesus keeps our eyes soft toward people. He is our righteousness, our model, and our motive. By His Spirit, our feet move toward need, our hands move to serve, and our mouths move to proclaim Christ with grace and truth.

- Anchor dignity in creation and design, not self-definition (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4).

- Combine unwavering truth with patient care in conversations about sexuality and gender (Ephesians 4:15).

- Refuse mockery or compromise; offer the whole gospel and real community.

- Justice, mercy, and the vulnerable:

- Speak up for the unborn, the elderly, the disabled, the poor, the refugee, and the prisoner (Proverbs 31:8–9; Matthew 25:36–40).

- Tie advocacy to discipleship and local church presence, not performative outrage (Micah 6:8).

- Practice proximate mercy: visit, serve, employ, foster, and support mothers and families.

- Partiality, ethnicity, and God’s global purpose:

- Reject favoritism inside the church (James 2:1–4).

- Celebrate Christ’s blood-bought multiethnic bride and work toward visible unity (Revelation 7:9; Ephesians 2:14–16).

- Learn, listen, and labor together in the truth of the gospel, not in the spirit of the age.

- Evangelism in a cynical age:

- Keep the message simple: God, sin, Christ, response (1 Corinthians 15:1–4; Acts 20:21).

- Avoid strawmen; ask for stories; trace longings to the Lord; bring Scripture to bear (John 4:7–26).

- Maintain a gentle, non-anxious presence “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

- Digital neighbors and holy speech:

- Treat online interactions as face-to-face with souls God made (Matthew 12:36).

- Refuse slander, sarcasm, and rage; pursue truthfulness and edification (Ephesians 4:29).

- Constrain your media diet; expand your Scripture feasting (Psalm 1:2).

- Discernment without cynicism:

- Jesus loved all and entrusted Himself to the Father’s timing and wisdom (John 2:24–25).

- Hold pearls and pigs together in wise obedience (Matthew 7:6) while loving your enemies (Matthew 5:44).

- Seek counsel; obey clear commands; leave murky motives to God.

- Church discipline as love:

- Discipline honors Christ, protects the flock, and aims at restoration (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:5–11).

- Practice Matthew 18 privately, patiently, and prayerfully.

- Keep the goal before you: repentance, reconciliation, and holiness.

- A four-week training plan to renew your sight:

- Week 1: Scripture saturation. Read the Gospels, noting how Jesus engages people. Memorize John 13:34–35.

- Week 2: Prayer and presence. Pray daily for five names. Initiate one unhurried conversation.

- Week 3: Hospitality and help. Host a meal. Meet a practical need for a neighbor.

- Week 4: Witness and follow-up. Share the gospel twice. Schedule follow-up to read Scripture with someone.

- Questions to ask yourself before speaking:

- Is my aim the glory of God and the good of this person (1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 15:2)?

- Is my tone aligned with “gracious, seasoned with salt” speech (Colossians 4:6)?

- Am I willing to walk with this person after this conversation (1 Thessalonians 2:8)?

- Memory verses for gospel vision:

- 2 Corinthians 5:16–21; Matthew 9:36–38; John 13:34–35; Romans 12:9–21; 1 Peter 3:15; Jude 22–23; John 17:17.

- Spiritual warfare and open doors:

- Pray for boldness, clarity, and open doors (Ephesians 6:18–20; Colossians 4:3–4).

- Expect opposition and keep sowing (2 Corinthians 4:4; Acts 18:9–10).

- Rest in God’s sovereignty and keep moving toward people in love (John 6:37; 2 Timothy 2:10).

- A posture to carry everywhere:

- Bible open.

- Knees bent.

- Eyes up.

- Hands ready.

- Heart warm with the gospel.

By the Word and Spirit, Jesus trains our eyes until strangers become neighbors, neighbors become friends, and friends become family in Christ. He teaches us to see as He sees and to love as He loves, for the glory of God and the good of people.