Open the Eyes of My Heart

Open the Eyes of My Heart 

by David Brenneman 

"As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing." John 9:1-7.

"So they said to him, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen; why do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?” They reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He is from.” The man answered and said to them, “Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” So they put him out. Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.” And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains." John 9:26-41.

I love that verse. "Now here's an amazing thing." God does amazing things all the time. But like in this very situation...you either have eyes that are open or you don't. You are either engaged in the works of God or you aren't. 

It's noteworthy to point out that this man who receives his sight worshiped Jesus in front of these same Pharisees and they said nothing about it.

Spiritual blindness can occur with anyone. Those who've come to Christ can choose to not see as well. There's repercussions but people can choose.

Choosing blindness of spiritual matters is going to bring about questions from Jesus concerning it when we face Him to give an account. Choosing to continue in sins will not go well when we face Jesus. 

These Pharisees, even though these events were orchestrated by God towards getting Jesus to the cross to die for the sins of all mankind, were not off the hook for their disbelief.  

They choose blindness over the light. At the beginning of the book of John we read that they loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. 

We have before us every day this idea of choice. We can choose to believe everything about who Jesus said we are to be and to walk in it or we choose to go our own way. There are consequences of both decisions. 

"Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17.

When we know from the shining of the light of truth in Christ to let go of something in our lives that isn't growing us in Christ and don't do it...we sin.

When we know from this light in Christ to remove something from our lives and we don't do it, we sin.

When we choose to look away from the Light of Jesus Christ because we won't let go of what He says we need to...we sin.

When we choose to love the things that are of this world rather than the righteous life that God desires for us...we sin.

When we choose to neglect to do what we know the Spirit of God is telling us to do...we sin.

As one of Dr. Charles Stanley's Life Principles says "God does not require us to understand His will, just obey it, even if it seems unreasonable.".

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5,6.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever." Psalms 111:10.

This fear isn't to be confused with being afraid. It means to respect and honor.

What is on us is to choose to obey at all times. Our lives are not our own, we were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and then all these things are added unto us.

Our lives aren't about success as the world sees it. It's about success as God sees it. Jesus's life looked to be a failure by the view of those in darkness around Him. 

You can choose to participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness or in the fruitful deeds of God in Christ Jesus. You can choose to obey even when it does not make sense or choose to not. You can choose to serve as Ambassadors for Christ, if indeed you are saved, or you choose to represent yourself. 

We will give an account of your life before you. All that you chose will be revealed before Him with whom we have to do.  

This man was chosen so that the works of God might be displayed in him. You were chosen that the works of God might be displayed in you. 

Regardless of if you understand it all or none of it. Ours is to trust and obey. Striving to please Him in all that we do. Living a life approved by Jesus.  

Jesus knows what you choose and why you did.

"‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name." Revelation 3:8.

“Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15.

Open your eyes, choose to see, walk in the light of Jesus Christ. 

We can justify our choices to do life our way or let go of them and choose to obey Jesus. Only 1 path leads to the righteous life that God desires for you. 

All New American Standard Bible Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. A corporation not for profit.