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"If you were blind...”

I have heard it said that some things are worse than death. I think this saying is absolutely true. It is human nature to just wish for life without regards to the quality of life that we might be facing. However at some point in time, the dying realize that there is a fate worse than death and will themselves to cease this life and venture over to the other side.

I have also concluded that there is absolutely a fate worse than spiritual blindness. In fact, those who realize that they are spiritually blind have the hope of salvation; those who insist that they can see are doomed to remain in spiritual darkness for eternity. I know these are my words, but I am convinced that they truly reflect what Jesus taught toward the end of John 9 and the story of the blind man. Here are His words to the Pharisees: “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains.” (John 9.41). Now let's get this straight; those who say they are blind [“I can't find my way”] have their sins forgiven while those who say they see [“I know the way!”] remain in their sins. That seems directly opposite to what we have observed in the physical realm! And, you know what, it is the exact opposite, but it is true! I know it is true because Jesus said it.

The world has always had plenty of blind guides. They say they can see, but...! They say they know the way, but...! They say they have the key to knowledge, but...! Jesus indicated that we ought to be wary of those who make such claims. Inspired men of the New Testament era taught no doctrinal error, but I doubt that there is a person alive that can truly make the same claim today. Inspired men of the New Testament era inerrantly knew some absolute truth. However, I have come to be afraid of anyone who claims to know (or be able to know) all absolute truth. That dog looks like he can hunt, he barks like he can hunt, but HE CAN'T HUNT. No uninspired man, dead or alive, has ever had a complete grasp on absolute truth regardless of claims to the contrary.

In years past I heard a preacher make statements several times to this effect; “I have been preaching for decades and I have yet to change my position on any essential doctrinal point.” I know the context in which he made these statements, but for the life of me I cannot understand why he would make such boasts. It is no less than an indictment of his own integrity. I not only have changed my position on important doctrinal points, there are still a number of doctrinal points that I simply don't understand nor profess to understand! My salvation does not depend upon: 1) Knowing the truth regarding all doctrinal matters, or 2) Living in perfect harmony with that knowledge. Heaven is not for those who see; it is for those who don't see and freely admit the same!

This concept goes contrary to every ounce of human strength in me. I am a problem solver. I am a thinker. I even fancy myself somewhat of a logician. It comes hard for me to admit that I don't know and I may never know some things about which I have previously professed to have knowledge. However, I am convinced and convicted that the mindset that says that we have to noodle through and comprehend a multitude of complex doctrinal truths in order to be pleasing to God is nothing more than the doctrine of blind guides!

I am not proud of the fact that I cannot see anymore, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It is freeing to once and for all admit that I am hopelessly lost and I must depend entirely upon God's mercy and grace to lead me to safety. (continued)

Questions:

1. Would you follow a guide who admitted he was blind? Why or why not? Would there be ANY circumstances under which you might consent for a blind person to guide you to safety?

2. How many people do you think will populate the shores of heaven who never changed their position on any essential point of doctrine?

3. According to Jesus, who is able to see? Whose sins remain?

4. What would it take for a person who says I see to face the reality that not one of us sees and that we all depend entirely upon God's mercy and grace? Think about it!

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

Things that go bump in the night