Good vision is a precious blessing. Spiritual vision is greater still because it brings into view things undetected by the human eye. Jesus described the benefit of good vision, saying, “The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light” (Mt. 6:22). Though often taken for granted, most of us know something of the benefit of clear vision. In Scripture, light becomes a symbol of hope, purity, and direction—each an element of great spiritual significance.
Good vision requires focus. Our spiritual eyes need to be focused on Jesus. Scripture says, “lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1–2).
After Peter, James and John heard the voice from heaven on the Mount of Transfiguration, they fell to the earth in fear. When Jesus approached them, He told them to arise and be unafraid. When they lifted “up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus Himself alone” (Mt. 17:8). We would do well to be that focused in our thinking. Solomon advised his son, saying, “Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:25–27). How can we keep our path straight? By setting our gaze upon our affection. Jesus says, “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (vs. 21). This focused gaze is the topic of Paul’s discussion in Philippians 3:13-14, where he says, “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” The object upon which the good eye is focused is identified in Matthew 6:33 where Jesus says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Earthly, material things must not become the focus of our lives. Focus, instead, upon the kingdom and righteousness of God. Good spiritual vision is focused on the rule of God in our hearts and the expression of such in our daily lives.
–Glen Elliott–