My daughter’s cat, Rose, was born with turned in eyelids. This meant that her eyelashes rubbed against her eyeballs causing pain, discharge and minimal vision. Rose, was what would be termed legally blind in human terms. Surgery however, opened Rose’s blind eyes and now she sees. Her pain has been removed and she is living life to the fullest.
In John 9:1-7 we read about a man blind from birth, whom Jesus healed by making some mud with his saliva. He then told the man to go wash in the pool of Siloam. So, the man went and washed, and came home seeing. Imagine how that man’s life was changed from that day forward. Once he was blind but now, he could see.
There is another form of blindness however which does not affect our physical eyes, but the spiritual eyes of our heart. 2 Corinthians 4:4 states: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (NIV)
Spiritual blindness keeps people chained by their sin for they cannot understand the truth of the gospel which has the power to set them free by opening the eyes of their heart to who Jesus is and what he has done for them through his work on the cross and his resurrection.
Spiritual blindness can be cured however, by the Holy Spirit who is able to convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. The Holy Spirit is able to open the eyes of the spiritually blind but we too have a part to play. As God’s people we must be prepared to pray for this work of the Spirit in their lives, for it is God’s desire that none should perish. We thus know, that to pray for them is within God’s will and when we pray according to His will, He says He hears and will answer (See 1 John 5:14,15 NIV). This does not mean that all will come, even once their eyes have been opened. It does mean however that they will have the opportunity to see the truth and then to choose Christ or not.
Let us therefore, not weary of doing good in this matter. Rather let our prayers rise up day and night on their behalf. Opening the way for the work of the Spirit to become evident in their lives, that their eyes might be opened to the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. Christ, who is able to heal their pain, and grant them, not only an abundant, fulfilling life here but also life eternal with Him.
Prayer: Father God, move our hearts to remember to pray for the spiritually blind that they might see the truth of the gospel of the glory of Christ and embrace it for themselves. In Christ’s name. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
