Spiritual Blindness

Many people have different views about whether God exist or not. And most people in this world still believe on the existence of God. And most of the people who believe in God's existence are also confused about who really God is. Why people have different points of view about God? A great number of religious institutions today speaks of different standpoints about the truth and the existence of God. Some people are so much confused that they are already in the point that they would not like to join religion anymore since they thought that no one can prove the truth about God and for them it doesn't matter whether God truly exist or not.

I remember one discussion I have with one of my friends. My friend said that no one can really completely understand the truth about God. He also added that, there might be only one God but people have different perceptions about Him and each perception corresponds to somehow a religious belief. Sounds good, isn't it? My friend has even provided me an illustration that goes something like this...

There are ten blind monks (by the way, they are blind since birth) who were tasked to determine what an elephant is. These ten blind monks were brought to the place where the big elephant is standing and they started their quest to determine what really an elephant is. After an hour, the monks already got their idea in mind of what an elephant is. And they were asked what would be their idea and below were their responses....

Monk 1: An elephant is a horn that has a long tube on the right.

Monk 2: An elephant is a horn that has a long tube on the left.

Monk 3: An elephant is just a long tube and has two holes at the end of the tube.

Monk 4: An elephant is a big mouth that has a long tube at the top.

Monk 5: An elephant is a composition of four big posts standing from the ground

Monk 6: An elephant is a surface that has a whip in the middle.

Monk 7: An elephant is just a body of great mass.

Monk 8: An elephant is a broad fan that has holes at the end thereof.

Monk 9: An elephant is just a unique sound.

Monk 10: An elephant is huge body with two legs

With the above illustration, the monk can only tell what they have felt or heard. They have different perceptions about the elephant but there is only one elephant. And my friend told me that this is also true about religions. "Different religions have different perception about God but they are all pointing to one God", my friend added. Well, is that really so?

The monks have their different perceptions about the elephant because the common thing among them is that they were all blind. If they were not blind, do you think will they still arrive on different conclusions about what an elephant is? Of course if they were not blind, they will have one consensus on what an elephant is, right? This is also true with religions. And my question is; what had caused the blindness of the people so that in result they arrive in different perceptions about God?

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." - 2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)

Satan, the devil, is what the Bible called "the god of this world". Satan has already deceived so many people so that they can not just easily grasp the truth about God resulting to what we call spiritual blindness.

"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, calleth the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." - Revelation 12:9 (KJV)

Even Jesus Christ had prophesied that many people will be deceived.

"For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ; and shall deceive many." - Matthew 24:5 (KJV)

"And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." - Matthew 24:11 (KJV)

Today, religions are claiming that they are telling the truth about God. But there should always be one truth above all and that is the truth which was already revealed by God himself through His word --- the Holy Bible. They said that the Bible is very self-claiming. This is because it is God who claims what the Bible is claiming. But whether we believe it or not, God had revealed Himself to mankind ever since from the creation of man up until this moment and up until this world shall be destroyed and everybody will be judged by Him. God reveals Himself through the Holy Bible so that mankind will be guided about His truth and NOT being misled and confused.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints" - 1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)

Some people might tell they can't understand what the Bible is saying and they think only experts can interpret it. But little did they know that they are just spiritually blinded because of their sin and in result they can't understand the Bible very well.

"For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me." - Romans 7:11 (KJV)

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" - Romans 3:23 (KJV)

And also, many people are being led by spiritually blinded leaders such as they are. And for me, it is a brutal thing to realize.

"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." - Matthew 15:14 (KJV) "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death." - Proverbs 14:12 (KJV)

Religions speak of so many ways but the Bible speaks of the only way to know the truth about God and this is through our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." - John 14:6 (KJV)

Only Jesus Christ can heal our spiritual blindness if we only just believe and trust Him.

"The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: The Lord loveth the righteous:" - Psalm 146:8

"And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then he touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country." - Matthew 9:27-31

Do you believe that Jesus can heal your spiritual blindness? Accept Jesus now as your personal Lord and Savior and allow Him to enter into your life and you will know the truth about God. And this truth shall set you free.

The Power of the Author

Have you ever read books such as Harry Potter, Sophie's World, Lord of the Rings, and the like? Most people love story-telling and some are very talented enough to write a unique story of their own. Honestly speaking, I admire the talent of some book authors like J.K. Rowling, Jostein Gaardner, and J.R.R. Tolkien. It is good to realize how powerful they were in the world they have created in their own stories. Let us realize for example how J.K. Rowling exercised her power in the world she created -- the "world of Harry Potter".

Based on the story, Harry grew up as an orphan after his parents were killed by an evil wizard when he was yet a little boy. If we're going to symphatize with Harry, we may ask why does he need to suffer those things? Why did the author intend the evil wizard to kill Harry's parents? My realization here is that any author has all the power to do anything over what he/she has created. Here, the author-story relationship will help us realize the following:

1) The author is powerful over what he/she has created.

From our example above, J.K. rowling can do anything on the whole story that she has written. In the story, Harry Potter and the other characters might not be aware that the author was the one who created their world and also unknown to them is the fact that the author herself is the one who decides on who will live or die in a particular scenario in the story.

2) The author is very much knowledgeable over what he/she has created.

One question! Which part of the "Harry Potter" story can we tell that J.K. Rowling does not know about? Of course, there's none. Right? Unless, she has already forgotten some details of what she had written. If we are going to read throughout the whole book, we will notice that no character in the story knows how their world could end up or who will be the one to defeat the evil wizard. But the fact is, even when Harry was still a little boy just before the story began, the author had already purposed that Harry will be the main character and he will be the only one who could defeat the primary antagonist in the story.

3) The author is present and consistent over what he/she has created.

All parts of the story was written by J.K. Rowling and that would only mean, she was always present and was, as much as possible, consistent from the beginning up to the end of the story.

That's enough of Harry Potter from here. I would just like to emphasize that if human book authors, who are not perfect, can exhibit such power over what they have created, then how can we imagine the power of Jesus Christ who is the sole author of our eternal salvation?

"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto them that obey him;" - Hebrews 5:9 (KJV)

When Jesus declared these words below in the book of John, He is expressing to everybody that He is the only author of eternal salvation and only through Him can get people saved from eternal damnation.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." - John 14:6 (KJV)

And, I certainly believe on what Jesus Christ can do when it comes to our salvation as the Bible also is saying...

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12 (KJV)

As the author of eternal salvation, Jesus Christ is...

1) He is all-powerful...

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." - Matthew 28:18 (KJV)

Let's take a look when the time Jesus Christ was crucified.

"And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise." - Luke 23:39-43 (KJV)

As you can observe, Jesus can say absolute things like that because He is the author; and He can save even the most unworthiest man on earth if and only if that man shall call upon His name for salvation.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Romans 10:13

Moreover, eternal salvation is only available for everybody who shall call upon the name of Jesus. If a human author can choose beforehand who shall be protagonists and antagonists upon creating a story, Jesus, who is an all-powerful savior, also chooses whom He saves and whom He would not save.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:" - Ephesians 1:3-9

Meaning, only those who will call upon His name believingly shall be saved. We might ask: Is Jesus Christ fair if He chooses only those who would call on His name? How about those who does not know Him? Well, as the author of eternal salvation, we can not question the works of our Lord.

"As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?" - Romans 9:13-21 (KJV)

2) He is all-knowing...

As the author of eternal salvation, Jesus knows those people whom he will save because He had already chosen them even before the foundation of the world.

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." - Ephesian 1:4-6 (KJV)

Most people have accepted Him already as their personal Lord and Saviour. And He knows when shall be the right time for other chosen people to get saved. And the right time is always "according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace". And for those who had already rejected Him, did not accept Him, and will reject and not accept Him in the future were already condemned even before they were born.

"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." - John 3:18 (KJV)

3) He is all-present and perfectly consistent to what he say and do...

"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." - Matthew 28:20 (KJV)

Jesus is always present not just in the hearts of believers but in every aspect of their lives.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." - John 10:27-28

Now, I would like to raise this question...

Do you want to know if Jesus Christ already had chosen you to save you from eternal damnation? Just believe in Him. Accept and trust Him as your personal Lord and Savior and you shall be saved. And afterwards, you already know.

"...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." - Acts 16:30-31 (KJV)

The Value of Man's Success

People define success in so many ways. Success is very subjective to all people who experience it. But, is there truly a real success in this life? If you'll ask a student --- "Why do you need to study?", then the answer you'll get might be simply... "Well, I would like to become a professional and have a successful career someday." If you'll ask a professional --- "Why do you need to work and keep your successful career?", then the answer you'll get is... "I would like to earn more so that I can make myself ready to raise a family." If you'll ask a successful family man --- "Why do you still need to work?" --- then you might get good laugh and an answer something like this... "Are you kidding? Of course! I need to work to earn more money so that I can provide to my children good education and someday I might also see them as successful as I am. And once they became successful, I don't have to worry for them anymore when I get old." And if you'll ask an old man --- "What else do you want to achieve if you'll already succeeded in achieving your goals in life?"

On the last question, we might realize that we have been doing things, which we thought, able to serve the purpose we defined in our lives and at the end we will be prompted with a question... "What else to achieve most especially when our earthly life is coming near to an end?"

In reality, there might be only few people who can claim that they have already seen the peak of their success or maybe no one else can. I have found an interesting fact from the word of God saying:

"This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead." - Ecclesiastes 9:3 (KJV)

It is actually a brutal fact to realize that our hearts are full of evil and madness while we live. And because of this, we always wanted more good things to come into our lives even if we have already achieved most of our goals. In other words, we will never be contented. The truth is, man's so-called success has no value at all under the sun. Let us be confronted by these facts:

1) Life's success has really no profit at all

"And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my portion of all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun." - Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 (KJV)

2) Life is full of envy

"Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit." - Ecclesiastes 4:4 (KJV)

3) Life is full of tragedies and is always given to unexpected circumstances

"I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them." - Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 (KJV)

4) Life's purpose without God is just to eat, to drink, and to be merry

"Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun." - Ecclesiastes 8:15 (KJV)

5) Life is full of discontentment and problems

"That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered." - Ecclesiastes 1:15 (KJV)

6) Life always suffers injustice

"All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life on his wickedness." - Ecclesiastes 7:15 (KJV)

Let us go back to this verse...

"This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead." - Ecclesiastes 9:3 (KJV)

We can never know what kind of evil will come and take away everything we have. Some problems or tragedies may arise that might cost us our success. Or, somebody will just do evil things against us because of too much envy. Imagine that we are toiling in all the days of our lives to become successful and then suddenly we died. Who will gain the fruit our labor? It might be comforting to know if our loved ones might be the ones to enjoy on our gain but what if somebody whom we don't really know or even our enemy takes our wealth? And how can we be so sure that our loved ones would follow our last will and testament after we have died? It's sad to realize that we do not have control over our wealth anymore after we have died. Isn't it?

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his own soul?" - Matthew 16:26 (KJV)

The truth of the matter is that those things that man is achieving to make himself successful in this earthly life has no value at all when he arrives on his final destination which is DEATH. Death is the "one event unto all" because afterwards we shall all "go to the dead". There is one verse in the book of Hebrews that tells us the same thing.

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" - Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)

The above verse would tell us that physical death is still not our end because there is still something after our physical death. And that is the "judgment". I will not talk about "judgment" on this article but let me tell you that this life we have is not hopeless after all. And I tell you that we can still find the real success and that is to have "eternal life" in Christ Jesus. Our Lord Jesus Christ is actually our only hope both in this life and after this life.

It is not bad if we become successful in this earthly life but we should also care about what will happen to us after we have already done in this life. Our success on this present world is only temporary. What lies ahead of us is something unimaginable and that is what we call "ETERNITY". What is 100 years compared to eternity? We can live successfully for 100 years but, can we confidently claim that we can still have that success after 1000 years or more? Do we already have eternal security in Christ Jesus? If we can not answer these questions, then I suggest that we should trust and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our own personal Lord and Saviour. Many people might not believe this but I tell you... If the Bible is not telling the truth then I have just shared to you a fantasy and there's nothing wrong with that. But, what if the Bible is telling the truth? Then, please consider these things because we will always be miserable if we don't have Jesus Christ in our lives. Let me close this article with the following verses from the Bible:

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 (KJV)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16 (KJV)

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:23 (KJV)

"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. - I John 5:11-13 (KJV)

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Romans 10:13 (KJV)

Will you now kneel in prayer, call upon the name of the Lord, and trust him to be your Lord and Saviour?