Summary: One does not have to necessarily be visually impaired or blind to be missing key things in life and this sermon points this out.

Do we really See? (Luke 6:39)

How often have you been in a conversation with someone and finally either you or the person you are dialoguing with finally states, “Oh, yes, now I see.” That statement,“Oh, yes, now I see” from you or the person you are dialoguing with signifies that one of

you has come to the point of understanding what it is that you have been talking about.

That eye opener or revelatory moment is extremely important for all of us. It’s crucial for us in every phase of our lives. Regardless of whether one makes this statement in school, at home, in the community, on the job, or in the church, it is good to finally get to this place.

All of us should be able to remember at least one time when were able to say with such excitement, “Oh yes, now I see.” I really do understand now! We get to this place after having been at another place. We could not have arrived at the “Oh yes, now I see” place had we not been in the dark about something.

Jesus, in dealing with this parable regarding the issue of a blind person actually serving as an agent of change for another blind person is fascinating. He simple asks the question, “Can a blind man lead a blind man?” He then answers his own question by stating that it is not possible given the fact that they both lack the proper ability to make

movements that will be in their best interest. Concluding that if this were to actually take place, one or both of them would actually be in danger of hurting themselves.

We already know that one does not have to necessarily be visually challenged to be considered blind from a spiritual standpoint. Both in scripture and even in our own lives we have encountered persons who could be considered blind in some form or

another. There are even phrases that we utter from time to time regarding the issue.

Consider this, “You are blind to the fact.” You must be blind, you can’t see what’s going on?” How could you possibly miss that, all I can say to you is open you eyes and start seeing what you need to see.

What about the phrase, “Love is blind but the neighbors are not.” We could go on and on but the point should be well made that we don’t always see as well as we need to see things in this life even with good visual sight.

What can the Christian do about his or her spiritual impairment? How might he or she be able to see clearer given the things that one are exposed to on a daily basis. Jesus in addressing the individuals in this parable can still speak a word to us in this day and age.

Followers of Christ have been, are being and will be challenged daily. We have been, are being exposed to and will be exposed to lots of things in society and in our own dwelling places that can either help us see things clearly or from a distorted standpoint.

What determines whether one is visually impaired or not one might ask? If we are asking this question from a spiritual standpoint we have to rely on the answers that scripture gives us. From an investigation of scripture, we find that one is blind or spiritually impaired when one is not in right relationship with God or one’s finally humankind. That’s one way to determine one’s spiritual impairment.

Another way to determine one’s spiritual impairment is to go against the teachings that one is exposed to from a scriptural standpoint. That’s a second way to gauge one’s ability to see or not

see things correctly.

Yet another way to see if one is impaired from a spiritual standpoint is to simply ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you are in your walk with the God of creation.

Do we really see what God wants us to see as followers? Or, are we spiritually impaired and are blindly going about our daily activities as Christians?

What role does God play in our daily activities? Are we in right relationship with God? Are we in right relationship with others in this life? If not God has no role in our lives, we don’t really see. If we are not in proper relationship with God or others in this life, we don’t really see.

If we are not attempting to follow the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ each and every day, we don’t really see. And, if we are not allowing on the presence of the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct our lives, we don’t really see.

We are spiritually blind and if we are spiritually blind, we are in no position to assist anyone else in this life. We cannot and will not attract others to the Christian faith.

No one will want to follow our leads if in the end where we are headed leads to destruction. Do we really see that we play a key role in every other person’s life that we come into contact with on a daily basis?

Do we really see that if we are supposedly followers of Christ that we will be held accountable for our actions either in this life or in the life to come? Do we really see that what we do and how we do it does have an effect on others in our lives either directly or indirectly?

I hope that we do see. I pray that we get to the point where we can consciously make the decision that to live for Christ is better than any other alternative.

Do we really see that if we are spiritually impaired our impairment can affect others?

Jesus is holding all of his followers accountable. We either see now and through the medium of the Holy Spirit get things in order or we eventually settle our accounts before the just judge who will reward us for not seeing correctly.

Let it not be said that we are responsible for causing anyone to fall into a pit or ditch of sin because of our spiritually impairment. We know that if we are blind we will not be able to lead effectively. We must be able to see and see clearly that God’s way

is the only way.

Do we really see that what we do in this life will be the determiner for where we end up in the life to come? Let’s think on these questions in the next few days and ask the Spirit of God to reveal to us where we are as it relates to our relationship with God and humanity. Attempt to live by the teachings that were left for all of us to emulate and rely

upon the presence of the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct us to be the people that God created us to become.

Then and only then will we truthfully be able to say, “Oh yes, now I see.”