John 8:12 English Standard Version

I Am the Light of the World

¹² Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Think about the term “that’s enlightening” which brings us understanding, it is seeing things in a new way. It is truth about what we are seeing. Given that this is a spiritual element we should see this as the source of spiritual truth. Just as it is impossible for the human eye to look at the sun, it is impossible for the human eye to look at the Son. We see what He illuminates as a reflection of the spiritual issue, seeing these things in a reflective way.

The human eye is a series of physical creations. They eye is the receptor, the optic nerve is the transmission line, the optic centers combine the left and right eye to translate those signals to give depth and process them in a way that the brain can understand.

The spiritual eye is a spiritual gift that is not mechanical and not affected by health or misinterpretation. It sees truth spiritually without error. Since we are human, this sight system is unnatural and different in the way we once “saw things”. Spiritual sight is a new way for our new creation to receive truth.

2 Corinthians 5:7 English Standard Version (ESV) for we walk by faith, not by sight.

John 12:35b English Standard Version (ESV) The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

The essence of spiritual sight is to walk by faith and walking by faith is walking in God’s will. We can only understand where we stand by faith. Right standing with God is righteousness.

James 5:19-20 English Standard Version

¹⁹ My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, ²⁰ let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

This scriptures sounds like someone in fellowship has left the group. That may be true and then again one could say that wandering from the truth can happen without leaving fellowship. In the first case the one who leaves fellowship will no longer be an influence upon the others. In the second case their presence within the group will remain as an influence.

How do we discover anyone who has wandered from the truth? In most cases they have spoken up about their understanding. There is also the possibility that errors in theology remain unspoken because some individuals do not share their thoughts.

One of the better blessings of being in fellowship is a place of safety, where our deepest thoughts can be shared without fear of rejection. If we create that safe place perhaps the timid soul will finally speak up and be seen. It is important to receive them with love and a certain amount of lenient understanding.

Romans 14:1 English Standard Version (ESV) As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

Remember that opinions are not theology. They are opportunities to discuss not destroy. Most opinions are not dangerous but they can be an indication of a measure of maturity. We change according to God’s plan and our opinions today may well change as the Holy Spirit reveals truth as we are ready to receive it.

If we encourage opinions we will be able to watch the maturing process as we continue in fellowship. Cut them off from discussing opinions as nothing more than opinions then they may wander not only away from truth but from fellowship also.