Ed and Patsy now live in Athens, Alabama and are members at the Pepper Road church. As administrator of this blog, he enjoys sharing thoughts about spiritual maters. Not only his thoughts but good articles from other authors. He is also thankful to have been able to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ for over sixty years.
Peter warns that those who lack the “Christian Graces” of 2 Peter 1 are “blind and cannot see afar off.” (Verse. 9). The phrase “cannot see afar off” is from the Gr. muopazo, from which we get the medical term, myopia, meaning near sightedness. So there is precedent for comparing a spiritual condition to eyesight – seeing or not seeing properly.
We often speak of keeping our eyes focused on Jesus and avoid distractions around us, like “looking unto Jesus” in our race as Christians (Hebrews 12:2). The analogy of the eye is also used to show the need to be single-minded in our relationship of Christ (with all for which He stands) as opposed to being double-minded (like eyes out of focus), trying to serve God and mammon at the same time. (Matthew 6:19-34). In this case, single vision versus double vision, has to do with focusing on the spiritual rather than trying to focus on both the spiritual and material at the same time. This only results in a kind of spiritual blindness.
Another spiritual eye problem has become rather common place among professed Christians of late is that of tunnel vision – the loss of peripheral vision. This pertains to various elements included in the “kingdom of God and His righteousness” upon which we are to focus. Physical tunnel vision robs one of a lot of beauty because he can only see what is right in front of him. He is also unable to see dangers that may be approaching him from the side.
Almost daily, on social media and other outlets, I notice some brother approaching a religious subject by picking out one aspect of the subject and declaring that it is “the thing” of importance and relegating all else on the matter as, at best, secondary or even worse as unimportant. Wittingly or unwittingly, they project themselves as having greater insight than most folks, when in reality their field of spiritual vision is too narrow.
On the subject of salvation from sin and its wages. The New Testament mentions several things that have to do with our salvation. But, a tunnel vision brother, sees only “grace” with all else being secondary or unimportant. Another sees “faith” with all else, especially works and obedience, being secondary or unimportant. Once one reaches this point, there is a very small step from “unimportant” to “unnecessary.”
On the subject of reasons and motivations for serving God. We read, in the word, of “love,” “fear,” “duty,” “gratitude,” “hope of heaven,” to “glorify God,” etc. A tunnel visioned brother sees “love” as “the” rather than “a” motive and declares it should not be out of fear; or that it should be out of gratitude and not out of duty; or it should be to “glorify God” and not to avoid hell and go to heaven. One writer even suggested that serving God in order to go to heaven is “selfish” on our part.
If presented with a list of things mentioned in the Bible as contributing to salvation or a list of reasons for obeying/serving God and asked to select which is “the thing of focus,” there is nothing wrong with saying “all the above” and not allowing tunnel-vision to kick in. Our focus should be broad enough to include “all things commanded” (Matthew 28:19). Instead of spending effort poring over the list of things commanded, to select the one of most importance, accept them all. Which ever is chosen is subjective to the one choosing. So, you have about as many most important things as people you have poring over the matter.