Not so long ago, I was sitting at the kitchen table when I looked up and saw something on the counter which seemed a little out of place. I didn't have my glasses on, so I couldn't tell exactly what it was. I am near sighted so things that are far away are just a blur.
Anyway, this object was either black or dark blue. I knew it wasn't a knife or a spatula - or any other kitchen utensil for that matter. I continued to squint and stare for several seconds while I ran all sorts of possibilities through my mind. Did Robert leave a screw driver or some other tool on the counter?
Before I belabor the point too much longer, it turned out to be an ink pen. Nothing really weird... no big deal... just a simple ink pen. I just didn't remember leaving it there.
As I mentioned earlier, I am near sighted. I can't see things far away without my glasses. I know I'm not the only one. Many people are nearsighted. This is a physical characteristic. But what about my spiritual vision? Where should my spiritual sight be directed?
Several times throughout His ministry, our Savior miraculously healed the blind, and others with all manner of diseases and afflictions. Through His power as the Son of God, they could see again. Jesus had such great compassion for all those He healed.
Mark records an example of the Lord's compassion in Mark 8:22-27. A blind man was brought to Him. Verse 23 Mark tells us Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of town to heal him. Our loving and compassionate Savior did not leave it to the man's friends to lead him out of town. Jesus did that Himself. He held the man's hand to lead him to a place where He would heal him. How awesome is that?!!
Christ had compassion for those who needed it -- who sought Him out. There were some who rejected His teaching. Jesus called them blind too; but their blindness was spiritual not physical. The Pharisees refused to believe Jesus was the Christ. They could not see what was before their very eyes. They saw Christ, the man, with their eyes; but they could not see Christ, the Messiah, with their hearts.
"Blind leaders of the blind," Christ called them. Can you imagine how frustrated and heartbroken Jesus was to know these men had no interest in anything He had to say? They were threatened by Him and sought only to destroy Him. And yet, Jesus loved them too. If only they had been willing to turn to Him, He would have healed even those with spiritual blindness.
We have to keep our eyes - our hearts and minds open to the word of God. We need to give ourselves a spiritual eye exam from time to time. Study and learn of Christ so that we can maintain our vision. We need to keep our eyes on the prize of eternal life.
I am reminded me of 1 Peter 1:6- 10. This is the passage where Peter tells us to "make every effort to supplement" our faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and with love. All these characteristics are interconnected. They build on each other and help us to grow into mature Christians. They keep us from blinding our hearts.
Led by the Holy Spirit, Peter goes on to say if we develop and build on the qualities he mentions, it will keep us from being ineffective or unfruitful Christians. What a wonderful promise!
We really need to pay attention to the promise because the warning comes next. Peter warns: "For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins." This is a grave warning.
If we lack faith, virtue, and knowledge our vision dims. If we have no self-control, steadfastness or godliness our spiritual future looks grim. If there is no brotherly affection or love in our hearts we become ineffective and unfruitful. We forget. We forget the love Christ has for us. We forget we were cleansed from our sins. We become spiritually blind. What a sad state to be in!
Wait, Peter doesn't leave us hopeless. Actually, he places his warning in the midst of two promises. Both of these are conditional. The conditions are the same. "Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if ... IF (emphasis mine) you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
(1 Peter 1: 10-11)
I love this section of scripture. It is so beautiful to me. Jesus loves us so much. He wants to provide that entrance into the eternal kingdom for us. He truly does; but gaining the entrance doesn't automatically happen. We must be cleansed from our sins. Next, we must keep our spiritual vision in good shape. We develop and increase in these wonderful traits and follow the word of God. Then we gain the entrance to the beautiful eternal kingdom.
Unfortunately, Jesus cannot heal our spiritual blindness unless we are willing to be healed. He leaves it up to us to make that decision. It is always our choice.
Christ above all things,
Robin
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