Sometimes I want to scream at the TV or my computer monitor when I watch the news. “Can’t they see how wrong that is?” From our government to just ordinary individuals, it appears people have lost their ability to reason or maybe it’s a depraved mind (note June 22). You don’t have to be a politician, scientist, engineer, or set up a task force to investigate that some things will lead to disaster. As always, the Holy Spirit reminded me of a verse telling why people are this way. The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving . . . (2 Cor. 4:4). We are living in an age when humanity is rapidly going blind—that is spiritually blind. The latter part of this verse gives the reason Satan blinds unbelievers, so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Jesus proclaimed, I am the Light of the world (John 8:12). Jesus also explains why, as never before in modern times, the world is attacking Christianity . . . men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed (Joh 3:19, 20) and now we are the light of the world (Mat 5:14). Simply stated, we bring light into the darkness of men and women exposing them and revealing their sins. This makes those who do evil, uncomfortable.
Unbelievers are not alone in their blindness. Christians are also subject to spiritual blindness. Peter lists seven moral qualities for which believers should strive (2 Pet 1: 5-7). He adds, For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sightedness, having forgotten his purification from his former sins (v9). The cause for their blindness and shortsightedness—they had forgotten God cleansed them from their past sins. The wording literally reads ‘has taken to himself forgetfulness’. This indicates their blindness did not happen by chance. Because they made no effort to grow in moral qualities, they lost their spiritual sight. Remembering from where we came in sin and God’s forgiveness should motivate us to keep growing in Him. Jesus told the Church at Ephesus remember from where you have fallen (Rev 2:5).
Jesus condemned the church at Laodicea because they apparently believed they were ideal examples of Christianity. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked (Rev 3:17). This verse not only speaks to the Laodicean church of the first century, but also describes the Church in the last days before Christ returns. Today some teachers advocate that if you have enough faith God will bless you until you are rich and need nothing. This is supposed to indicate you are a good Christian. Jesus saw and sees the hearts of people and warned that they are blind. The only thing worse than being blind is being unaware you are blind like the Laodicean church.
Always at the top of my concern for people who are spiritually blind and walking in darkness is ignorance of the Word. Paul writes being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them . . . (Eph 4:18). My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hos 4:6). The world is without excuse of knowing God because His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen (Rom 1:20). Believers have no excuse either because a multitude of resources to know and to study the Bible exist. Today believers must also be careful of who they follow. I have watched many people blindly follow a leader because he claimed to be ‘the man of God’ but was also blind and living in sin. Jesus condemned the religious leaders; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit (Mat 15:14). The priest of Hosea’s time had rejected the knowledge of God and forgotten God’s law. More and more pastors and ministers are succumbing to pressure from the world and approving sinful practices or just staying silent.
When Jesus visited his hometown Nazareth, He entered the synagogue and read from Isaiah who prophesied His purpose on earth. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind . . . (Lk 4:18 NIV). That purpose is the mission of the Church and all Christians. I learned that although a blind person cannot come to a light, if it is close, they could feel its warmth. In a time when people can’t see how wrong their philosophies, ideologies, and choices are, Christians should shine bright and let the blind feel their warmth.
Sustaining Word for the Week: If your spiritual vision has grown dim, Jesus can heal and restore your sight and again purify you from sin. For all of us who see and know the truth of Chris let the world feel the warmth.