Having “The Eyes Of Our Understanding Enlightened”

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12: 2, NIV.

Dear God, here we are again, listening for a Word from You. Your Words bring us life, and joy, and hope. So please speak to us dear LORD. In the blessed name of Jesus we humbly pray. Amen.

Today, we will study about how to, “approve” the perfect will of God. How is this possible? How can imperfect beings approve, the perfect will, of a perfect God? Why is it necessary that we “approve” it? The fact that approval is mentioned, could be an indication, that in times past, we did not approve of God’s will. Perhaps that is the reason the apostle, at the very beginning of the chapter, calls for us to offer ourselves as “living sacrifices.” In other words, to “surrender.” 

If we go back a chapter, we will find a rather interesting discourse by Paul. From the tone of the conversation, we can derive that he is talking to Gentiles, who have been converted to Christianity. In no uncertain terms, he is advising them not to be puffed up about the fact that God, in His mercy, had “grafted” them into the commonwealth of Israel (Romans 11: 20, 21; Ephesians 2: 12, KJV). Instead of boasting, they should, in gratitude for God’s mercy in including them, offer themselves as “living sacrifices.” This attitude of sacrifice, implies, death. We die to self, that we may be made willing, to undergo change.

The one thing we know, is that, before we can experience any change in our lives, we need to experience a change of mind.  In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle expressed this special prayer for the believers:  “[T]hat the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1: 17, 18, NKJV, emphasis provided). You see, my friends, unless we are “enlightened,” unless the eyes of our minds receive spiritual illumination, there are a lot of things, that we will not be able to recognize, or appreciate.

I personally believe, that Christians in our day, have lost sight of the hope to which we were called. We have also become complacent with our status as “Christians.” In the revelation of Jesus Christ, given to John on the isle of Patmos, we find the following counsel to God’s church, in the Twenty-first century:  “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ -and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked- I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see” (Revelation 3: 17, 18).

Dearly beloved, may we be willing to accept what our true condition is, when it is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. And may we catch a new glimpse, by faith, of the glories that await us. I truly believe, that when we do, “the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”