Godly Sight

Bill Brinkworth

It had been a long time since the older woman had been considered “legally blind”. Many years ago the sight had totally gone in her left eye, and slowly the right eye’s vision deteriorated. In the last few years, all she could see out of the right were some shadows and outlines.

When a doctor told her that surgery might improve what she saw out of the right eye, she hesitated. She remembered how previous medical attempts removed the left eye’s sight completely. Still, she pondered the surgery and soon gave her approval. The day of the operation found her being wheeled down to surgery.

After the surgeon’s work was complete, and she awoke from the anesthesia, the bandages were slowly removed. It was not long until she opened her eyes to see color; then as her right eye came into focus, she could see details. She saw what the doctor looked like as he explained what had just occurred. She saw the decor of the room, the chairs, her daughter, and the papers that were clipped to the doctor’s clipboard. The one eye could once again see. Her world was much different than it had been a short time previously.

As she continued to scan the room, she saw one thing that she did not like. In the room’s mirror the senior saw her own image, and the wrinkles time had put on her face. When she had last been able to see her reflection, all she had seen then was youthful, smooth skin. Now, her observation was different. She saw the real her, not what only her hands felt and were able to “show” her.

Likewise, a person’s spiritual understanding is different when they get saved (John 3:16). Many of the things they were involved in previously, now appear different. What was then “normal” and done by many is now seen as the Saviour sees it: “sinful”; and guilt is felt when this activity is even considered.

Lies that used to be a quick defense from getting into trouble, now bring a guilty feeling when they are uttered. Watching many programs on television now bring that same shame to one’s heart as those shows are now realized to be obscene, and ungodly. The obscenities uttered on the same programs are no longer funny, but perceived as “filthy”; and some even realized as mocking or blaspheming the Saviour. Habits and other activities that were performed for many years are now felt as “inappropriate”, and certainly not exhibiting good Christian behavior. Much of what was done, said, and seen are now frowned upon after one is “born again”.

This new vision and understanding come with the “new birth” (John 3:3). It is part of the attitude and inward change that happens when one is saved: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” II Cor. 5:17. The “new creature” in a saved child of God has a new mind that perceives their condition differently. It is the mind that thinks similarly to Christ: “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” I Cor. 2:16 (Also: I Cor 1:10, Philippians 1:27).

Although many claim to be Christians, few see any changes in their thinking processes or behavior. They see no change in their lives after profession of being saved. That is not what the Bible tells us happens to a person when they get saved. They should think differently, and their lives should change. Perhaps, they have profession without possession.

If you claim to be saved, has there ever been a time in your life where your “vision” was changed? Do you see your life and the world around you differently? After being born-again, did you see the “wrinkles” of your own sin’s depravity? Did the sight of how you were thinking and living shock you enough that you wanted to change your life-style and follow God’s direction? Is your spiritual life different than it ever was? Are you saved?
If you are not sure you are saved, and have no one to talk to about this matter, please e-mail me at: brinkworth@frontier.com.

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found.
Was blind, but now, I see!”
— From “Amazing Grace” by John Newton (1725-1807)

This article was featured in The Bible View #352.