The Eye of Faith # 2

The Eye of Faith # 2

It is true that there may be a genuine faith, which takes in but little of the light of Divine revelation at first. Yet here again the earthly facts accurately shadow forth this spiritual truth. The eye of an infant takes in the light and perceives external objects - but with a good deal of weakness and confusion, until as it grows more its vision extends further and further. So it is with the eye of faith. At first, the light of spiritual knowledge is but dim - the babe in Christ is unable to see afar off. But as faith grows deeper and deeper into the Divine mysteries, until it comes at length to be swallowed up on open vision (John 17:24).

5. The eye is a very assuring faculty. Of the five bodily senses, this is the most convincing. What are we more sure of, than what we see with our eyes! Some fools may seek to persuade themselves that matter is a mental delusion - but no one in his right mind will believe them. If a man sees the sun shining in the heavens, he knows that it is day.

In like manner, faith is a grace which carries in its very nature a great deal of certainty: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Heb. 11:1).

Skeptics may deny the Divine inspiration of the Scriptures - but when the eye of faith has gazed upon its supernatural beauties, the point is settled once for all. Others may regard Jesus as a pious myth - but once the saint has really beheld the Lamb of God, it can say "I know that my Redeemer lives."

6. The eye is an impressing organ. What we see leaves an impression upon our minds. That is why we need to pray often, "Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity" (Psalm 119:37). That is why the prophet declared, "What I see brings grief to my soul" (Lam. 3:51). 

Real faith leaves an impression of the Son of Righteousness upon the heart, "Those who look to Him are radiant with joy" (Psalm 34:5). Also read 2 Corinthians 3:18.

7. The eye is a wondrous organ. Those who are competent to express an opinion, affirm that the eye is the most marvelous and remarkable of any part of the human body. There is much of the wisdom and power of the Creator to be discovered in the formation and operation of the eye!  Just so, faith is a grace that is marvelously and wondrously wrought in the soul. There is more of the wisdom and power of the Divine Workman discovered in the formation of the grace of faith - than any other part of the new creature. Thus we read of the "work of faith with power" (2 Thess. 1:11). Yes, that the same exceeding great and mighty power which was put forth by God in the raising of Christ from the dead - is exerted upon and within those who believe! (Eph. 1:19)

8. The eye is a very delicate thing - it is soon hurt and easily damaged. A tiny speck of dust will cause pain and make it weep. It is very striking to note, that this is the very way to recovery - it weeps out the dust that gets into it.

Just so, faith is a most delicate grace - thriving best in a pure conscience. Hence the apostle speaks of "holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience" (1 Timothy 3:9). The lively actings of faith are soon marred by the dust of sin, or by the vanities of the world getting into the heart where it is seated. And wherever true faith is - if it is hurt by sin - it vents itself in a way of godly sorrow.

~A. W. Pink~

(The End)