ACTS 9:10\u201319<\/b><\/p>\n
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul\u2019s eyes, and he could see again<\/i><\/p>\n
(Acts 9:18a)<\/i>.<\/p>\n
After Jesus\u2019 appearance, Saul was blind for three days. On the third day, Ananias visited and laid hands on him. Something like scales fell from Saul\u2019s eyes and he could see.<\/p>\n
The imagery of receiving sight occurs other places in the New Testament as a symbol of the new birth. One such place is Mark 8:22\u201325. There we find a blind man being healed by Jesus. First Jesus spat on the man\u2019s eyes and laid His hands on them, and the man said he could see people \u201clike trees walking around.\u201d Then Jesus put His hands on the man\u2019s eyes again, and the man\u2019s sight was fully restored.<\/p>\n
This story is recorded primarily as history. It serves as an example of Jesus\u2019 healing power and compassion. In addition, the story relates to rebirth in a special way. There is a difference in that while the healing took time and used the medium of spit, with rebirth the change is immediate and free of any secondary means.<\/p>\n
After rebirth the new Christian experiences a type of progressive revelation. Just as the blind man was able to see better as time progressed, so are we better able to understand the things of God and grow in sanctification.<\/p>\n
While rebirth is instantaneous and immediate, our spiritual growth proceeds over time and through means. Jesus left a number of means to help us focus on Him. One is the diligent and disciplined study of the Word of God. Another is spending time in prayer, because it also puts us in contact with Him.<\/p>\n
The church is a powerful aid to Christians growth. Particularly important is spending time with more mature Christians who can show us how to live as new people. Also important are the sacraments because the body and blood of Jesus are presented to us in the Lord\u2019s Supper.<\/p>\n
The goal of rebirth is sanctified living. The goal of sanctified living is to see the ultimate sight\u2014the face of God. As Paul tells us, \u201cNow we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face\u201d (1 Corinthians 13:12).<\/p>\n
CORAM DEO<\/b><\/p>\n
Jeremiah 1\u20132<\/p>\n
2 Thessalonians 2<\/p>\n
WEEKEND<\/b><\/p>\n
Jeremiah 3\u20136<\/p>\n
2 Thessalonians 3<\/p>\n
As evangelicals, we often downplay the \u201cmeans of grace.\u201d Examine your use of these God-given gifts. Seek to develop the use of those which you have neglected and strengthen your dependence on those from which you have benefitted.<\/p>\n
For further study: Colossians 1:3\u201314;<\/i> Born Again series<\/i>.<\/p>\n
WEEKEND<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ACTS 9:10\u201319 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul\u2019s eyes, and he could see again (Acts 9:18a). After Jesus\u2019 appearance, Saul was blind for three days. On the third day, Ananias visited and laid hands on him. Something like scales fell from Saul\u2019s eyes and he could see. The imagery of receiving sight occurs other … Continue reading “NEW EYES OF FAITH”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11299","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11299","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11299"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11299\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11299"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11299"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11299"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}