Not too long ago your Columbia Baptist Examiner (hereinafter CBE) was a guest in the home of her elderly mother-in-law.
While seated at the kitchen table enjoying morning coffee, CBE noticed not one, not two, but three ophthalmologist-grade eye charts (you know, the ones with the great big "E" at the very top) strategically placed around the living and dining areas.
Interest piqued, CBE asked: "Why all the eye charts?"
CBE's mother-in-law explained that both her own late mother and all seven of her surviving (out of possible nine, two being deceased) siblings suffer(ed) from age-related macular degeneration.
She further explained that her eye doctor had provided her with the eye charts and told her to purposely gaze at them several times each day.
If when looking at the edge of any letter she begins to see a squiggle or a blurring or any type of wavy malformation of the integrity of said letter, she is to call the doctor immediately.
Because at that point, she's on a slippery slope with regard to her vision and, without timely intervention in the form of special shots, she is in danger of advancing into macular degeneration so severe, she will soon be irreparably blind.
CBE couldn't help but see a spiritual application.
We enter the world blind ... dead in trespasses and sins ... (Ephesians 2:1) -- Hello! Dead eyes are blind eyes! -- and, absent our eventual taking heed of the Holy Spirit's wooing, leading to recognition of God as sovereign and the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation, whereupon our blindness dissipates and we "see," we die just as blind as we were born.
And spend eternity in hell, separated from God.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41)
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment ... (Matthew 25:46)
The remedy? Of course, for the initial spiritual blindness the "cure" is repentance leading to faith in the sacrificial and FINISHED work of Christ on the cross for remission of sins. (Romans Road)
Whereupon we become a new creature ... one that can see!
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
But throughout the Christian life -- whether its duration be one day or seventy-five years, or even longer -- we must constantly use our eye chart.
That being the infallible Word of God, against which all things are measured for veracity.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16)
If at any point you open your Bible, read a verse or two, and find yourself doubting its truth, or even its relevance to your life, you've seen a wavy line and you must run to the doctor.
How exactly is that accomplished?
CBE is so glad you asked. Because no matter what ails you, Jesus is The Great Physician (Mark 2:16-17)
And He is always right, always true, always first, no matter what anybody says to the contrary.
For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, THAT THOU MIGHTEST BE JUSTIFIED IN THY SAYINGS, AND MIGHTEST OVERCOME WHEN THOU ART JUDGED. (Romans 3:3-4)
Consider: to whatever extent our thinking, our paradigm, our philosophies -- even our preferences -- fail to line up with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17) -- in every particular, it is we who are in error.
It's never the other way around and there's never any way around it.
Have you examined yourself and found that you are, whether in word, thought, or deed, "seeing things" like the lost world sees them, more often than you should?
We cannot in faith agree with the world, because ... know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4)
Not to mention ... whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)
And ... without faith it is impossible to please him. (Hebrews 11:6)
Check your spiritual eyesight against the inerrant Word of God at least once each day. Your eternity vision will be crystal clear.
God bless!
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The Columbia Baptist Examiner is a born-again believer and an independent, fundamental Baptist by conviction. She and her husband attend Gantt Street Baptist Church in West Columbia.
All scripture cited or referenced is from the King James Bible.
For more of the CBE's frequent mumblings and musings, visit her award-winning non-fiction blog I'm Having A Thought Here.
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