BBD 12.02.05 Our Blindness
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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12.02.05
Our Blindness
And Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do
not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind." - John 9:39.
Because of frosted windows from the freezing temperatures, police officers
could not see that an illegally parked vehicle was occupied by an
85-year-old man. It happened in Edmonton, Alberta and the vehicle was
impounded. Thankfully, some movement was noticed inside after the vehicle
arrived at the police impound yard. Police Spokeswoman Lisa Lammi said,
"They accessed the vehicle and sure enough there was an elderly man inside.
He was disoriented but he was not unconscious." Even though the man had
spent several hours inside the vehicle with temperatures reaching, 14
degrees Fahrenheit he was still conscious and he was taken to a hospital for
observation.
It was frosted windows that blinded the police officers to the desperation
of an 85-year-old man. At least they had an excuse. However, many are
blinded spiritually to their own needs and the needs of others around them.
The Pharisees had just seen the evidence that a great miracle had been
performed. A man who had been born blind had been healed by Jesus and now he
could see. Even though the Pharisees saw the evidence they still denied that
it could be true. Even though they knew personally this man who had been
blind since birth and now knew that he could see - they still denied the
evidence that they saw with their own eyes! The Pharisees could see with
their own eyes yet they were still blind to the truth that Jesus was the
Messiah, the Christ.
There is a range of spiritual blindness beginning with blindness to our own
personal need for Jesus like that of the Pharisees. Do you know Jesus as
your personal Savior? Have you invited Him into your heart in a state of
repentance, asking for forgiveness of your sins (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23;
John 1:12; John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10, 13; Revelation 3:20; 1 John 1:9)?
There is also a blindness to the great harvest that is waiting for laborers
(Matthew 9:37-38). Sadly, there are millions of Christians (perhaps
billions) who have never even given a Gospel tract to a lost person much
less talked to someone about Christ. Jesus said to His disciples and I
believe He says the same thing to all that follow Him, "Follow Me, and I
will make you fishers of men." If you are unwilling, unmotivated, uncaring
about the lost you cannot be described as a "fisher of men." Therefore, you
must be spiritually blind to the great harvest of souls that Jesus so very
much wants you to participate in reaping. If this is your condition, I would
urge you to repent and fall upon 1 John 1:9 as the cure of your blindness.
Then there is a blindness to the physical needs of others like that of the
rich man being oblivious to the need of the poor beggar Lazarus (Luke
16:19-26). Phil Collins song, "Another Day in Paradise" has lyrics that are
convicting of our blindness at least they are to me. Here are a few of the
lyrics:
She calls out to the man on the street
'sir, can you help me?
It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me? '
He walks on, doesn't look back
He pretends he can't hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there
Oh think twice, it's another day for
You and me in paradise
Are you blind and uncaring about the physical needs of those around you like
the rich man called dives was to that of the poor beggar Lazarus? If so,
fall upon 1 John 1:9 in repentance as the cure for your blindness.
I for one know that there is a need for me to be able to see beyond where I
now am able to see. Lord, help me so that I may see. Amen.
(I have started a page at the new website with the thought that there are
many who would like to help others but may not know of the needs. You can
check out the page "Helping Others" at http://www.theburningbush.net Please let me
know of similar needs as you become aware of them.)
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