“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
I once was blind. How soon I forget. Blessed be God for removing the scales from my eyes and granting me understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. What a treasure (Matthew 13:44), what a mercy (2 Corinthians 1:3), what a gift (Romans 6:23), that God rescued me. Now that I see, I will forever magnify and praise His name!
While I rejoice in God’s redeeming grace, there are many perishing around me. They remain blind. Having eyes, they do not, they will not, they cannot see. What Englishman in the time of the Black Death could live without great sorrow in his heart for the perishing? What mother could hold back the tears when only one of her four boys came home after 4 years of Civil War? I can’t help but mourn and grieve for blinded sinners, many of whom I know and love.
“I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Romans 9:1-3
Yes, I am rejoicing in God’s great salvation, but I simultaneously desire my neighbor to experience it. And my mom. And the Jehovah’s Witnesses who wouldn’t even take a Gospel tract. And my best friend from the sixth grade. And…
Let us pray as Thomas Watson prayed, “Oh, that the eyes of sinners may be speedily opened—that they may see the difference of things, the beauty which is in holiness, and the astonishing madness that is in sin!”
Yes, rejoicing in the love of Christ, yet finding moments of deep grief over neighbors and loved ones whose eyes Satan has blinded. We must persevere in prayer for these.