Time For A Vision Check

Time For A Vision Check

For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

2 Peter 1:9 (ESV)

Father, thank You that You want to build our faith so that we may see others, ourselves, and our circumstances as You see them and bear fruit for you. Help us, Lord, to keep our minds, hearts, and eyes on things above. Help us to see clearly!

A spiritual vision check revealed at least three areas of blatant nearsightedness, areas where we probably all need God’s help to see clearly:

1. Others: Do we see people as God sees them, eternal beings made in His likeness (James 3:9)? Do we see fellow believers as family members (Matt. 12:48-50, 1 Tim. 5:1-2), and do we see the people who annoy us as those “for whom Christ died” (Rom. 14:15, 1 Cor. 8:11)?
2. Ourselves: Do we view ourselves “more highly” than we ought (Rom. 12:3, 16)? On the other hand, do we forget we are “chosen,” “royal,” and “holy” through Christ (1 Pet. 2:9) and loved with an unconquerable love (Rom. 12:38-39)?
3. Our circumstances: Do we see our trials, sufferings, and disappointments through physical eyes of pain, discomfort, and inconvenience, or do we realize God is using them to produce in us an “eternal glory” (2 Cor. 4:18), to perfect our faith and make us holy (James 1:2-4), and to prepare us for the “praise and glory and honor” belonging to Christ (1 Pet. 1:7)?

Is it time for a vision check? Is your spiritual vision suffering from persistent nearsightedness? Peter writes in the verses above of spiritual qualities God longs to build in us through Christ, qualities that produce eternal vision and fruitfulness.