A brother suffering with the temporary blurred vision symptom of ocular migraine, was searching his heart for the parallel of a spiritual condition. His perusal led him to the subject of spiritual vision. Do I have a vision? Is that vision clear or is it blurred, tainted……forgotten even?
Proverbs 29:18 warns: “Where there is no vision the people perish”.
Let us consider: Romans 3:23 declares “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. We have that settled, but we do not have to continue coming short and stumbling over the same problems in life with no change in us once we have received Jesus in salvation. He makes the changes in us as we surrender to Him working in our lives. This is part of His divine redemption package. Romans 3:24 continues “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”.
We have all come short of the glory of God, living our lives for our own glory. The Olympic Games will soon be around once more. International athletes will be seeking the coveted gold medals for their prowess in strength and endurance for their own glory, and for their country.
Where have I lived for my own glory? The natural man seeks the approval of others in many ways. We all have God-given giftings. The talents and skills I have received are to be used to glorify God and bless others, not to put honour on my flesh. The temptation to live to what others think of me instead of living my life to God first, to please Him first, is ever present.
It is right to show appreciation and thanks to others. It is wrong if I take that credit to myself and glory in it. A humble heart recognises that all talents are God-given. It is His strength and ability that enables me to do what I do, thus to God be all the glory.
1 Corinthians 4:7 challenges: “For who makes you to differ from another? What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it?”
Romans 11:36 “For OF him, and THROUGH him and TO him are ALL things, to whom be glory forever. Amen”.
So let us not lose the theme of vision as this is all relevant. God made man in His own image and likeness that we should live our lives to His glory, “to an audience of One”. It matters not if people reject me, Almighty God, my heavenly Father has not. I am accepted in the Beloved, (Ephesians 1:6). My failures, nor my successes, do not define me. Christ is my identity now and all my standing I have is in Him and His righteousness.
To live our lives to the glory of God is the vision that will take us into our divine destiny, to be conformed to the image of God’s Son. In this ongoing position we will become the will of God and discover the many doors of His purpose and plans that He has for our lives. “……In his light we shall see light”, Psalm 36:9. As we walk in the truths He has revealed to us, our vision will become clearer, as will His plans, purposes and opportunities.
Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day”.
Habakkuk 2:14 declares “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea”.
With clarity of vision I see that God requires of me to include Him in everything I do, that the living Christ in me becomes my lifestyle and motive to please Him in ALL things. Does the way I live my life, the way I treat others glorify my Lord? Am I walking in truth or hiding in shadows? 1 Corinthians 10:31 instructs “Therefore whether you eat, or drink, or WHATSOEVER you do, do ALL to the glory of God”. ALL ……a little word but containing vast depths.
If a man can travel to the ends of the earth for his own glory, how much further can a man be taken with the life of Christ in him, for God’s glory?
God will have a people that will live their lives to His glory, with clarity of vision. Will you, will I, be counted among those who will fulfil God’s destiny and purpose?
