For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. | Romans 1:19–21
As I preached on the second half of Hebrews 11 this week, I referenced something from Andrew’s sermon on the first half of the chapter from the previous week. It was that everything that we need to have a vibrant faith has already been given to us. As we looked at all of the OT characters who lived out their faith through persecution (and even to death), we saw that they did it with less information than we have. The reason why this is important is because it shows that more proof is not the solution.
The problem is that human beings have become futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. The way that we see the world has been marred; our sin has made us unable to discern properly. The proof that exists all around us can not be seen for what it is. We have developed spiritual cataracts. Cataracts are a blurring over the lens of the eye that cause blurriness and, if not dealt with, blindness. We have this inherent problem which prevents us from being able to see the truth that is right in front of us.
As a solution to this, I have often used John Calvin’s analogy of Scripture as a pair of Spectacles that help us to overcome our impaired vision. Here is how he describes this in his commentary on Genesis:
Now, in describing the world as a mirror in which we ought to behold God, I would not be understood to assert, either that our eyes are sufficiently clear-sighted to discern what the fabric of heaven and earth represents, or that the knowledge to be hence attained is sufficient for salvation. And whereas the Lord invites us to himself by the means of created things, with no other effect than that of thereby rendering us inexcusable, he has added (as was necessary) a new remedy, or at least by a new aid, he has assisted the ignorance of our mind. For by the Scripture as our guide and teacher, he not only makes those things plain which would otherwise escape our notice, but almost compels us to behold them; as if he had assisted our dull sight with spectacles. | John Calvin, Commentary on Genesis
We can only see what is true with the help of God’s revelation. We should study Scripture to help us to see better, fine-tuning the prescription with God’s Word. Reflecting on Romans 1, I realized that this is an incomplete solution. Not because the Bible is insufficient, but because we need more than just corrective lenses.
What happens with cataracts is that they slowly get worse over time. They are not stagnate. In the same way, sin does not just sit still. It destroys and deteriorates our ability to see clearly. While Scripture as a lens is important, we also need to be applying the truth of God to our hearts in a way that breaks down the sin within us that is doing the damage in the first place. Cataracts can progress to the point where no spectacles can help you see. Similarly, if you are not allowing God to break down the idols in your life, Scripture will become just one more thing that you use to serve your sin. While the spectacles themselves function properly, a person who can’t see can’t use them right.
This is why people use the Bible in unjust and sinful ways. It isn’t that God’s Word causes them to come to these wrong conclusions. Instead, their sin, their spiritual cataracts, keep them from using the spectacles as they were intended. The Bible tells us that ALL have sinned; this means that every person has these spiritual cataracts (to differing degrees). The question is: how can we overcome this to be able to have the faith and ability to see the truth that He offers?
- Admit your inability. Knowing that you cannot see properly is an important part of moving forward. If you don’t think that there is a problem, you will never be willing to accept help. Without this, you will go to Scripture believing that you can see it clearly, and you will read everything through your own sinful lens. Admitting your inability gives you a humble approach to God’s Word.
- Honor God’s sovereignty. There is one who sees and knows completely. When we come to Scripture, we come to the revelation of the one who knows ALL THINGS. Not only does God know everything, but He has decided what we need to know and given it to us. If you read Scripture this way, God’s description of the world will destroy your idols and correct your vision to see the world as He does.
- Put God’s truth into practice. Since God’s way is good and true, living it out in the real world will reveal your blind spots. In Hebrews 11, we got a list of people who put their faith into action. If you know their stories, you know that they sinned and failed along the way. Their failures were lessons for them; it showed where they still saw incorrectly. The same is true for us. We should not be so afraid of messing up that we never do anything. Trying and failing is how we recognize where we need to grow.
At the end of the day, the reality of sin in this world will always affect our ability to see and know God. At best, we see in a blurry haze. We should not allow these limitations to drive us to despair. God promises to guide us through the haze; to be with us in the midst of our spiritual blindness. This is what faith is. It is trusting God in what we can’t see because of what we can see. Our hope looks forward to the day when the haze is lifted and we can see perfectly without cataracts or the need for spectacles. 1 Corinthians 13:12 tells us:
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
May we hold on to what we can see, trusting God with what we cannot, looking forward to the day when all becomes clear. Personally, I can’t wait!