In “Christ and the Recession: Heavenly Investment, Healthy Vision”, the sermon of March 22, 2009 from Matthew 6:19-24, I quoted Sinclair Ferguson concerning what Jesus means when he speaks of having healthy eyes. “The picture Jesus gives is extremely vivid. When our eyes are healthy, our ‘whole body is full of light.’ If our eyes are diseased, then ‘our whole body will be full of darkness’ (6:22-23). When we see clearly, this world is full of light, color, and beauty. But of if our eyes are diseased, the world is dim, confusing, and even dark as night.”
“Our Lord is speaking about the eye of the spirit, the heart.” (Ferguson, Kingdom Life in a Fallen World, (pages 182-183).
I want to have healthy eyes. How can I have clear, healthy eye/heart sight? I have found answers and encouragement in these two texts:
1. Ephesians 1:16-18 The apostle Paul writes, “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your heart enlightened… Paul prayed that the Ephesians believers would have enlightened heart-eyes. He prayed. Therefore, I conclude that healthy eyes and clear vision is to be sought after by praying for it.
2. Applying the “Visine” (eye drops) of the Word of God gives us healthy eyes and hearts. “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on you ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your Word” (Psalm 119:15-16). “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple” (119:130). “The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes…” (Psalm 19:8).
Lord, give me 20/20 eyes and hearts!
Thank you for this exhortation, Pastor. How careful we must be not to neglect these critical means of prayer and study of the Word! How easy it is for me to give lesser things priority!
ReplyDeleteIn Paul's prayer, this enlightening is in conjunction with "a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him", which he asks the Lord to grant. How reliant we are on His gracious revelation to have any light in our lives!
Dear Pastor Carey !
ReplyDeleteI thought you'd be thrilled to know that I prayed all those scriptures for you and RBBC as I mention my new church family here in Virginia by God's grace <>< I pray for you and your church family the WORD and I prayed all the scriptures you mentioned <>< this past week <>< PRAISE the LORD O my soul and forget none of HIS benefits <><
His sheep desiring to pray more <><
Anna <><