If you ever wonder what God thinks about you, rephrase the question into its more measurable form: list out how he is and compare yourself to each attribute. For example:
- God is aligned with reality.1 How aligned are you with reality as you know it?
- God only walks in truth. Do you ever depart from the path of truth, even just a little, even sometimes?2
- God knows what he wants3 and why he wants it.4 Do you know what you want and why you want it?
- God only wants what is best.5 Do you ever desire anything less than what is best?
- God only does what effectively results in his will.6 Do you always act honestly so as to obtain what you most desire?
By comparing yourself to how God is, you can gain an accurate appraisal of your value in his eyes. It is by his goodness that you will know what goodness is.7 If you want a more accurate appraisal of how you really are, you will have to learn more about how God actually is. Only through knowing God more can you truly know yourself more.
Footnotes
- 1. Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be.... (Jacob 4:13) ↩
- 2. Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. (Psalm 15:1-2) ↩
- 3. For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39) ↩
- 4. ...men are, that they might have joy. (2 Nephi 2:25) ↩
- 5. He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world.... (2 Nephi 26:24) ↩
- 6. I foretell the end from the beginning,from ancient times things not yet done.I speak, and my purposes take effect;I accomplish all my will. (Isaiah 46:10, Gileadi Translation) ↩
- 7. And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully.... (Moroni 7:18) ↩