Central Abbotsford

Technology has been, of course, revolutionary in its ability to allow us to communicate with one another; however, the flip side of that is that it is equally revolutionary in its ability to frustrate communication! If humans face the charge of being “inventors of evil” (Romans 1:30), the machines that we have created have (perhaps unsurprisingly) taken on this trait as well.

However, this technological impediment to communication got me thinking, and not just about how to get a hold of Clément, our IT guy, in order to fix it. Although my ability to communicate my thoughts was frustrated, it is no comparison to the frustration that Satan, the great enemy, has effected upon the ability of many to truly understand the Word of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 tells us that “our gospel is veiled…to those who are perishing. 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.”

However, although Scripture goes so far as to refer to Satan as “the god of this world”, he is no match for the strength of the God of heaven and earth. Although the enemy does try to blind eyes, the Scriptures tell us that the light of the world is far too bright for him to succeed. In Ephesians 1:16-18, Paul writes “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints”.

Jesus had, during His earthly life, promised us this enlightening Spirit. In John 14:26, we read His words “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” The Spirit serves to illumine God’s words for us, in the Scriptures. For the unbeliever, this illumination is coincident with the new birth; when the scales fall from the eyes (and the eyes of the heart) allowing someone to, for the first time ever, grasp the meaning of the gospel of grace.

For the believer, this illumination is a continuing process that allows and enables us to walk in the light, as John repeatedly notes in his first epistle (you should read it all – it’s pretty short but packed with goodness!). 

Why mention all of this? Because I know that some of you have not yet fully accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ. Others of you have people in your life who you desperately want to come to that saving knowledge. Still others of you believe, but struggle in walking in the light – continually doing battle with sins that easily entangle you. The point of this is, therefore, to give you some targeted prayers. James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” And so, your call is to ask God for illumination. Apply it to your specific circumstance, and ask God that His Holy Spirit would break through the blindness and the darkness, that it would awaken, open, and sharpen the eyes of the heart for whomever you are praying for, whether yourself or another. The enemy wants nothing more than to filter the good news of Jesus Christ out of your heart’s field of view, so pray fervently that the Spirit will do what only He can!