Day: November 8, 2013

Blinded By “Seeing”

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Vance Havner Imageby Vance Havner

For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. John 9:39

This terrifying pronouncement ought to jolt some complacent souls today. It grows out of that dramatic incident in which the Pharisees, religious, separated, praying Bible scholars, called Jesus a sinner, while a poor blind man, just healed, eagerly and immediately believed on Him as the Son of God. The application does not end in John. Churchmen, deacons, trustees, even ministers, who say, “We see,” have failed to know Jesus when He passed by in the day of their visitation, while some poor sinner who knew no theology has gladly cried, “I believe.” The possibilities in the meaning of this verse are alarming and could cause consternation in some well-ordered church on Sunday morning were some man of the street to get saved to the disgust, maybe, of a chief elder.

Beware that you are not blinded by your “sight,” saying, “I see,” while “your sin remaineth.”

by Vance Havner

Obeying God’s Commands

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John MacArthur Imageby John MacArthur

“The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Ps. 19:8).

It isn’t popular these days to speak of God’s Word as a book of commandments. Commands imply law and we’re accustomed to grace. But the fact is, both the Old and New Testaments contain many commandments that all God’s people are to obey.

The apostle John said, “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected” (1 John 2:3-5). John equated the commandments of God with the Word of God.

Jesus Himself said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15) and “He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father” (v. 21). If you truly love Christ, your life will be characterized by a pattern of obedience to His Word.

Every commandment of God is “pure”, the psalmist said (Ps. 19:8). Its effect is “enlightening the eyes.” God’s Word brings spiritual truth into clear focus. Not every passage of Scripture is easy to understand, but taken as a whole, the message of the Bible is clear to the regenerate mind.

But as clear as the Bible is to believers, unredeemed people can’t understand it. To them it’s foolishness because their minds are unenlightened (1 Cor. 2:14). In their spiritual blindness they choose humanistic philosophical speculations over God’s Word. But as a believer, you are continually being enlightened by the truths of God’s Word as the Holy Spirit enables you to understand and apply them to your life.

Your ability to understand the Word is a priceless gift. Take advantage of it daily by expanding your Bible knowledge and increasing your obedience.

by John MacArthur