“For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.”
even to blindness
A blind person is unable to see; a spiritually blind person is unable to see spiritually. There is no spiritual understanding. Many people are not able to grasp how God expects us to live. They cannot see the truth; they do not know the implications of fellowship with the Lord.
PRINCIPLE:
Some Christians are spiritually blind.
APPLICATION:
Some Christians are saved eternally, but they cannot see spiritually. They do not adequately grasp who the Lord is and what He has done for them.
Even entire churches can be blind.
Re 3:17, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”
There is a blind church! Christendom is filled with blind churches that are barren and unfruitful. These churches rarely experience people coming to Christ.
Some people live in the Rocky Mountains and never appreciate the colossal scenery around them. They live within sight of majestic peaks, take them for granted, and are not impressed with their grandeur. After Christians are saved for a few years, they begin to take for granted what they have in Christ; His wonder fades away. Their salvation is no longer fresh and spiritual things become commonplace to them.
This is why Paul urged a young preacher to remember Christ’s person (2 Ti 2:8). Paul also preached the basic gospel to the Corinthians (1 Co 15:1-4). We are prone to forget the wonder of our salvation. To see only what is near is a profound spiritual problem. Initial salvation is wonderful but let us move on to more mature things, to a richer knowledge of Christ and what He has done for us.
