We have seen in the preceding chapter that the chief aim of Satan is to completely blind the minds of people today, “lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them” (II Corinthians 4:4). If he loses in this primary endeavor, his efforts are then directed to weaken the vision of the believer. This effort of Satan takes on many varied forms. One device of Satan that we will note carefully, is his effort to make us “near sighted” or ” short sighted.” Let us consider II Peter 1:4-9, but especially verse 9:
“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations; That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ; Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; Receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your souls.”
Physical near-sightedness means that a person can see distinctly at short distances only. Spiritual near-sightedness surely means the same thing in reference to the things of the Lord. If the short-sighted believer turns and looks backwards, he cannot see “that he was purged from his old sins,” and that “the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s son cleanseth us from all sin,” therefore, he will either feel that he can lose salvation or on the other hand live salvation loosely. Also, as the near-sighted believer takes a forward look, he cannot see distinctly “the things that God hath prepared for them that love him” (I Corinthians 2:9), and the wonderful admonition to “set your affections on things above” means absolutely nothing to him.
If one will just gaze off into the faraway distance, it will rest the eyes and relax the mind and body; yet the god of this world is doing everything within his power to keep us busily engaged with “minding earthly things.” If we could really grasp the meaning of the divine statement that “our citizenship is in heaven” maybe we wouldn’t be “entangled with the affairs of this life.” We would all do well to consider “holy men of old” who had a far-sighted look at the plan and purposes of God. Just briefly consider two of these men — David and Abraham. In Acts 2:29-32, the Lord through Peter instructs us that David foresaw the resurrection of Christ. Verse 31 states:
“He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell neither his flesh did see corruption.”
The expression “seeing this before” literally means that David was far-sighted. In Galatians 3:6-8, we are told that:
“Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.”
Romans 4:20-21 states of Abraham that:
“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith giving glory to God: And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”
There is no doubt, when we consider Hebrews 11:17-19, that Abraham saw beyond the death of Isaac and beheld the power of God to resurrect.
To use a human illustration, the writer not long ago talked to a young girl who was quitting school to be married. On the surface, there appears to be nothing wrong with this common occurrence, but as particulars came to light, it was found she only lacked two months of graduating from high school. Her husband to be had also quit only lacking a few months of graduating. He had obtained a job; but had quit it recently because of near induction into the armed services. One can surely understand and be sympathetic of this young couple’s plight, but note the many hasty decisions made . If the world could just be slowed down a little and give people time to “consider” the things of the Lord, a longer perspective of life would be possible.
Dear reader, if you are one who subscribes to the theory of “eat, drink, and be merry,” please remember tomorrow. Yes, it seems a long time ago that “Christ died for your sins,” but remember, one look away from this “present evil age” to the One who suffered, bled, and died on the cross for you, will give you “eternal life.” Trust Him as your Saviour today, and then you can look away into the glorious future when “we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (I John 3:1-3)
