Blinded

Romans 11:1 I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, 3 "Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"? 4 But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. 7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day."

All of us have at some point or another experienced the blindness that comes from looking at the sun for just a moment too long. We learn pretty early on not to do that. When you look at the sun, your corneas are overwhelmed by too much light, and you come away from the experience with something like black spots before your eyes. Fortunately, for most of us the eye quickly recovers and normal sight is resumed in moments.

When you are blinded, even for a brief moment, you realize how precious sight is. To be literally physically blind is a circumstance no sighted person would choose. Or would they?

Isn’t it interesting how the Lord has associated truth with sight? And, additionally, how a lie is associated with darkness? We are told at the end of days, we will either be drawn into the beautiful, glorious Light of Jesus Christ, or we will be cast into utter darkness. One thing I don’t think people contemplate enough is that hell will be a place of total blindness and blackness, not only separated from God’s Kingdom and God’s love, but also completely separated from sight.

And why would this be? Because those who choose not to see will never see. What is represented here is a failure to examine the evidence available to anyone who will choose to look. If you refuse to examine the evidence God has provided of His Person in Jesus Christ, than you are willfully and willingly blind – by your own choosing. This is the present condition of the majority of the Jews, which Paul is addressing. It also applies to millions of others currently on this planet.

Fortunately, this condition of blindness can be as temporary as your next glance. Those who choose to see shall see. The Word of God declares the presence and the glory of God to all who will choose to see, by the power of the Holy Spirit – to see with the heart, and to believe. If you truly desire to see Christ, all you have to do is earnestly ask Him to reveal Himself to you, and you shall see.

- Pastor Bill