What The Bible Says About How God Sees Us
Do you ever wonder what God really thinks about you? It’s easy to feel insignificant in such a big universe, but the Bible makes it clear that God sees tremendous value in each of us. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most important bible verses that reveal how God sees us.
If you’re short on time, here’s the key point: According to the Bible, God sees us as his beloved children whom he wants to have a close relationship with. He sees our true spiritual identity beyond our outward appearance and flaws. We are precious in his sight.
We Are God’s Children
John 1:12 – We are given the right to become children of God
John 1:12 tells us that all who receive Jesus and believe in His name are given the right to become children of God. This is an amazing gift that allows us to have an intimate relationship with God as our heavenly Father.
When we put our faith in Christ, we are born again into God’s family and become His beloved sons and daughters (John 3:3). As God’s children, we have access to Him through prayer and can cry out “Abba, Father” knowing we are safe in His arms (Romans 8:15).
We are privileged to call the mighty Creator of the universe our Dad! God is a good Father who wants the best for His kids and cares for our every need (Matthew 7:11). He guides us, comforts us, disciplines us, and promises us an eternity with Him.
What an honor it is to be adopted into God’s household and called His cherished children!
1 John 3:1 – We are dearly loved children of God
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1). This verse reminds us of how deeply and unconditionally God loves us as His children. We are not just called God’s kids, but His dearly loved kids.
He showers us with His affection and tenderness, like a doting parent who absolutely adores his little ones. Even when we make mistakes, He gently picks us up, dusts us off, and sets us back on the right path because we are so precious to Him.
God’s love for us goes far beyond anything we could imagine – it is extravagant, limitless, and unrelenting. We are His prized and treasured possessions! There is nothing we can do to make God love us more or less. He loves us simply because we are His, now and forever.
As His beloved children, we are safe in His embrace and can trust Him to care for us, guide us, and shower us with His blessings.
Romans 8:14-17 – We are heirs and co-heirs with Christ
Not only are we considered God’s children when we follow Christ, but we also become His heirs! As Romans 8:17 declares, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
This means that all of God’s riches, glory and blessings promised in heaven await those who are in Jesus. Though trials and suffering come in this life, we can look forward to spending eternity reigning with Christ and receiving our full, undeserved inheritance from our Father in heaven.
What an amazing truth! God doesn’t just promise us a few little hand-me-downs either. Ephesians 1:11 says that through Christ we have obtained an inheritance, “having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”
Our inheritance in Christ was designed and ordained by God Himself!
As co-heirs with Christ, the truth is that we inherit everything that Jesus inherits from the Father as His beloved Son (Hebrews 1:2). On earth, co-heirs legally share everything. How much more wonderful then is our spiritual inheritance with Christ for eternity!
Though we were once disinherited because of our sin, now by God’s grace we are welcomed into the family and granted full rights and privileges as God’s beloved children and co-heirs with Christ. What an honor and joy!
We Are the Apple of God’s Eye
The Bible uses vivid imagery to describe how God sees us. We are described as the “apple” of His eye, conveying God’s tender love and divine protection over His children.
Psalm 17:8 – God protects us as the apple of his eye
Psalm 17:8 states: “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” This verse portrays us as the pupil or aperture of God’s eye, emphasizing how precious and irreplaceable we are to Him.
The pupil is essential for vision and protects the inner workings of the eye. Likewise, God watches over us, shields us from danger, and keeps us safe in His care. The verse also mentions hiding in God’s wings, further underscoring His tender protection, like a mother bird shelters her young.
Zechariah 2:8 – God sent Jesus because he loves us and we are precious to him
Zechariah 2:8 affirms: “For this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye.'”
Here, God declares that harming His people is equivalent to poking Him in the eye. This reveals how deeply God cherishes us – an offense against us is an affront to God himself.
Moreover, in calling Jesus the “Glorious One,” Zechariah 2:8 links God’s affection for us to Christ’s redemption. Jesus was sent out of God’s profound love to save us from sin and destruction.
As modern Bible teacher David Guzik explains, “God loves us so much that He sent His Glorious One to restore us. This is what makes us the apple of His eye.” Truly, we are so valued by God that He sacrificed His only Son on our behalf.
| Verse | What it Says About How God Sees Us |
|---|---|
| Psalm 17:8 | We are the apple of God’s eye – precious and protected |
| Zechariah 2:8 | We are so cherished that harming us harms God Himself |
In both verses, we get a glimpse of the depths of God’s love. Despite humanity’s flaws and failures, God still looks upon His children with unwavering affection and care. As Charles Spurgeon said, “We are not only under the eye, but we are also under the wing.
Surely this shows how very near and dear we are to God. “
To learn more, visit the website GotQuestions.org article on What it means that believers are the apple of God’s eye.
God Sees Our Inner Being, Not Outward Appearance
1 Samuel 16:7 – God looks at the heart, not outward appearance
This passage highlights that God is not concerned with outward appearances or worldly metrics of success. He cares most about the heart and character. While humans judge by what they can see on the outside, God sees who we truly are on the inside (1 Samuel 16:7).
He values inner qualities like integrity, humility, and love. This is an amazing comfort for those who feel inadequate by worldly standards. God loves us for who we are, not how we look or what we achieve.
2 Corinthians 5:16 – God does not judge us by worldly standards
Paul explains that after becoming a Christian, he no longer judges by worldly standards (2 Corinthians 5:16). As followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard focused on faith and character rather than outward success or beauty.
While the world applauds achievements, possessions, popularity, and physical appearance, God cares most about the state of our heart and how we treat others. He values Christlike love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
1 Peter 3:3-4 – True beauty in God’s eyes comes from inner spirit
Peter encourages women not to seek beauty through outward adornment but rather to cultivate inner beauty that comes from a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:3-4). This highlights God’s perspective again.
While the world promotes beauty through clothing, jewelry, makeup, and externals, true beauty in God’s eyes flows from the inner person. A beautiful, Christlike spirit focused on growing in faith, obedience, and love brings joy to God rather than superficial externals.
We Are Valuable and Cherished in God’s Sight
Isaiah 43:4 – We are precious and honored in God’s eyes
Isaiah 43:4 states that we are “precious” and “honored” in God’s sight. This emphasizes how much God cherishes each person He created. Even when we feel worthless or uncared for by others, God sees tremendous value in us. He loves us unconditionally as His children.
Some key reasons highlighted in Isaiah as to why we’re precious include:
- We are formed and made by God (Isaiah 43:1,7)
- We belong to God (Isaiah 43:1b)
- God knows us intimately by name (Isaiah 43:1b)
Despite our flaws and failures, God still calls us precious. This can give us deep security and comfort to know the Maker of the universe personally cares for us. When we internalize how cherished we are by Him, it helps us see our true worth.
Matthew 6:26 – We are worth more than birds that God provides for
Jesus emphasizes in Matthew 6:26 that if God intricately cares for simple birds—feeding and clothing them—how much more valuable are we, created in God’s image? The context is to not worry but trust God will provide for our needs.
Key comparisons showing our value over birds:
| Us | Birds |
| Made in God’s image | Lower lifeform |
| Eternal spirits | Temporal life |
| Intellect, creativity, relationships | Instinctive actions |
If God faithfully feeds birds who have little worth beyond basic existence, how much more will He provide for us—His treasured children with infinite value to Him?
Ephesians 2:10 – We are God’s handiwork, created to do good works
Ephesians 2:10 conveys that we are God’s “handiwork” (or “workmanship” in some translations). The Greek word is “poiema” which refers to His masterpiece artwork.
The fact He designed us specifically to do His “good works” shows how meaningful our lives are in God’s eyes. Our purpose is greater than ourselves—to fulfill His glorious plans. We have unique callings to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others based on how God gifted us.
Since we bear God’s image and have divinely ordained works, we can have tremendous significance and self-worth. Our identity and validation comes from knowing God created and called us for great purpose in advancing His Kingdom work on earth.
Conclusion
What an incredible gift to know that the all-powerful Creator of the universe sees us in this way! No matter what our earthly status, background, or struggles, God looks beyond all that and says we are his beloved children.
Cling to these truths about your identity and value next time you are feeling down or insecure. Remember how your heavenly Father sees you – cherished, protected and delighted in.
