Perspective:
Spiritual Vision
By Nelson Thomas
John C. Maxwell, the well-known leadership expert, narrates the story of two footwear salesmen. Many years ago, their respective companies from the UK sent them to Africa to market their products. One sent back the message, ‘Here nobody wears footwear, I am returning’. But the message of the other was interesting, ‘Here nobody wears footwear, a vast market is open, send bundles of all products immediately’!
Both saw the same situation but their conclusion was different. That is vision, the ability to see what many others could not. Many management gurus consider vision to be one of the outstanding features of a successful leader. It is true in spiritual life also, albeit at a different level and point of view.
Natural versus Spiritual
Just as there is sight and insight, there is natural eyesight and spiritual eyesight. With our physical eyes, we see things around us, but with spiritual eyes, we see divine things that are beyond the natural realm.
Insight is the ability to perceive what is deep inside or beyond a given scenario. It is often said that ‘men have sight but women have insight’. This ability of perception varies from person to person.
However, apart from this human ability of intuition, there is a spiritual ability to see and comprehend the things of God which are vital for our spiritual life.
Throughout the Bible we see godly men who had this special capability to see life from God’s point of view. It was this divine perspective that made them different from others and even successful. By faith, they saw that which was invisible, impossible, and even beyond the grave.
Seeing afar off
Noah by faith saw the great flood coming, which no man then could ever imagine. Abraham saw a better city by faith and left the homeland at the call of God. Joseph saw the day of deliverance for Israel from Egypt and so instructed his brethren to carry his bones to Canaan. By faith, Moses’ parents saw the divine plan for the child at his birth and so took the risk of keeping him, ignoring the strict decree of the king to kill every male child (Heb. 117, 8, 23, 27).
The writer of Hebrews sums it up poignantly, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Heb. 11:13).
Notice carefully, referring to these spiritual giants of the Old Testament, the writer says that till death, they did not obtain the promises. But they saw them afar off, were assured, embraced and confessed their conviction, all through the eyes of faith. That’s the true faith life of all who sincerely follow the Lord and His Word.
Three things about this spiritual perspective
a. It’s an essential mark of a believer
Remember, all those heroes of faith had this experience of ‘seeing afar off’. That means a telescopic spiritual vision is an essential characteristic of a true believer. They see life through the eyes of God. Whatever may be the circumstances, they view it through the viewpoint of God. It is this divine, heavenly perspective that makes all the difference in their lives.
Such perception helps one to be calm and composed in the most complicated situations. It takes away all fears and helps one to face life’s challenges with boldness.
A clear and firm understanding of the purposes of God makes a believer even forsake the earthly things, knowing they are temporary (2 Cori. 4:18; Heb. 11:24). Then, they can take steps according to God’s plan, and this in turn assures blessings and success as the days go by. Yes, the outcomes of having a divine outlook are far-reaching and numerous.
b. It’s a privilege of a born-again Christian
We should not underestimate this spiritual ability to see through God’s plan. Sadly, it’s a blessing that many do not experience.
The Word of God reveals that man by nature is alienated from God; his understanding is darkened, and his heart is blind to the things of God, (Eph. 4:18; 2Cor. 4:4).
One of the purposes of the incarnation of Christ was for ‘recovering of sight to the blind’, (Luke 4:18; John 9:39). This happens in a believer at the time of conversion, when we are regenerated by the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit. How grateful and humble we ought to be for this gracious work of God! The Lord says, “Blessed are your eyes for they see,” (Matt. 13:16).
c. It is only a beginning, and needs to be worked upon.
Paul’s prayer for the enlightenment of the Ephesian believers implies that we need to sharpen the eyes of our understanding so that we will comprehend all that God has prepared for us, (Eph. 1:18). Apostle Peter says that if there is no sustained growth in a believer’s faith life, he may lack many spiritual virtues. And such become short-sighted and even blind, 2 Peter 1:9.
We cannot afford to neglect these exhortations to refine our vision. The Lord Himself warned, “If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matt. 6:23b). We have the example from the ‘church of the Laodiceans’. They were spiritually ‘wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked’ yet ignorant of this hard reality. (Reve. 3: 17)
Evaluation essential
Yes, the salvation of every individual who has trusted in the saving work of Christ is secured, (John 10:28). Nonetheless, the above-mentioned passages speak of possible variations in our spiritual insight. This in turn affects our enjoyment of true Christian life and the fulfilment of divine purposes in our earthly sojourn.
Hence, it’s imperative for us to seriously examine the quality of our spiritual perspective. The consequence of losing the divine point of view is disastrous. We have many examples in the scripture.
When Peter wrote about becoming short-sighted and blind, he might have remembered his failure.
Once he started to walk on the sea looking at the Lord but later lost his focus, got frightened and eventually began to sink into the sea. On another occasion, he even denied Him three times, (Matt. 14:30; Luke 22:54–62).
The ten spies who failed to see the providence of God and Eli the priest who lost sight of the real state of the house of God then etc., brought untold misery to the people of Israel. Even today the result will be the same when God’s people, particularly the leadership fail in their vision.
Result of right perception
As referred to already, it is the spiritual insight that determines the quality of a believer. The blessing and usefulness of one’s Christian life are entirely based on his perception of the things of God. Without much elaboration, let me point out few effects of a higher level of spiritual outlook.
a. Courage and confidence (Numbers 14: 6-9; 2Kings 6:16, 17).
b. Obedience and sacrifice (Heb. 11:7, 8, 19).
c. Hope and consolation (Acts 7:55, 56).
d. Radiance and glory (Psa. 34:5).
e. Inspiration and encouragement (Acts 27:23-25).
f. Deliverance to household (Heb. 11:7).
g. Fulfilment of divine purposes (Heb. 11:23-27), etc.
The cost
Do not forget the cost of committing to live by God’s point of view. Since not all have the same level of spiritual outlook, one will find disagreement and even opposition from many.
For example, Apostle Peter had a special vision from the Lord and his outlook towards the Gentiles changed. In obedience to God’s direction, he visited a gentile home, shared the gospel and won them for the Lord, (Acts 10:9–48). But his fellow brethren in Jerusalem criticized him.
Nevertheless, the good thing was that Peter explained the whole story in order, and the critics gladly accepted him and even glorified God (Acts 11:1-18).
Another example is from Apostle Paul. During his second missionary journey, Paul and his team went to Europe in obedience to God’s perfect will (Acts 16:6-10). Yet in Philippi, the first city where they preached, along with blessings they had to face much opposition. They were flogged beyond measure, imprisoned, and even got their feet fastened in stocks (Acts 16:22-24 cf. 2Cor. 11:23).
A scriptural world-view is costly, but God will honour His people at the right time. By faith we have to see this divine working in and through His people (Rom. 8:28; 2Cor. 4:16-18; 5:1-7).
The base: scripture alone
So, living because of the heavenly perspective is certainly risky yet rewarding. But there is another danger that we need to be aware of: the possibility of faulty vision. David had a desire to build a temple in the place of the Tabernacle. Even Nathan the prophet endorsed it. But later the Lord Himself corrected Nathan, for it was a faulty perception (1Chro. 17:1-4).
Our convictions and perceptions must be based on the inspired word of God which is settled in heaven forever. Many who claim to have special visions and divine revelations today are proved to be false in the light of the scripture.
How to sharpen our spiritual perspective?
Finally, let us consider briefly, how to enhance our spiritual perception. We can take many cues from the way we care for our physical eyes.
a. A healthy growth.
We progress in our ability to understand and perceive as we mature spiritually, (1Cor. 3:1, 2; Heb. 5:12-14; 1Peter 2:1)
b. Constant cleansing.
Anything that impairs our vision must be dealt with like dust or even a ‘beam’ as the Lord says, (Matt. 7:3-5)
c. A spiritual mindset.
When our thoughts and affections are of things above, a heavenly viewpoint becomes easy and even natural, just like a view from a high place (Colo. 3:1, 2; 1 John 2:15).
d. Prayerful attitude.
Like Paul and Elisha, we can intercede for the enlightenment of others, (2Kings 6:17; Eph. 1:18). Similarly, we can pray with the Psalmist, “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law”, (Psa. 119:18).
e. Ministry of gifted brethren.
When the wall-builders had lost vision and were disheartened, the efforts of Nehemiah restored it (Neh. 4:10, 14).
Ultimately, let’s listen to the words of our Lord Jesus Himself. After sharply rebuking the Laodecians for their spiritual blindness and bankruptcy, He counsels them to buy ointment from Him to put on their eyes that they may be able to see (Reve. 3:17, 18).
Notice, how gracious and merciful our Lord is! He does not want us to be in the dark. He wants to open our eyes and sharpen our vision.
What shall we do? The Lord further advises the Laodecians lovingly, to take His word seriously, repent, and turn to Him (Rev. 3:19, 20). Even today, we need to do so to have a heavenly viewpoint that can turn around our entire Christian life and service. G&P
NTK
