A Vision Test

If you’re like me, you probably have your eyes checked every once in a while to make sure you’re seeing okay. We also need to test our spiritual eyes (Ephesians 1:18), since it is by them that we see Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and live by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Most of the world cannot recognize Christ’s majesty in creation because they suffer from “glory-blindness.” For those who love Jesus, a rose, a sunset and a colorful butterfly all radiate the glory of our Creator. But those who do not know Christ cannot see His majesty in these things. Please allow me to illustrate this way: Folks with color-blindness cannot recognize the numbers in the pictures above. Most people, however, are able to see the hidden images because they can discriminate colors. In a similar way, someone with faith in Christ can see the glory of our Lord in nature and in the Gospel, but those lacking faith do not perceive His glory in either (2 Corinthians 4:4), any more than a color-blind person can see the number 7 in the top picture on the left. Unless corrected, the unbeliever will never enjoy Christ’s glory—now or ever. This is a very serious condition indeed!

So, take this vision test. Do you see anything of Christ’s glory in nature and does it bring you joy? If you do, that’s good. Now, ask yourself: “Do I also see the glory of Jesus in His dying on a cross to absorb the wrath of His Father against my sins?” If you answer “No,” then you are glory-blind. Yet there is good news—Jesus not only died on a cross for sin, but rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven, so that He might send His Spirit into the world to give spiritual sight to many. “So how do I receive this sight?” you may ask. You receive it by receiving Christ Jesus into your life; by believing in Him and all that He has done for His people (John 1:12).

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5a).