Shortsighted—Blind!

Shortsighted—Blind!

“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18.

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, manifest virtue in your faith . . . .” 2 Pet. 1:5. “For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” V. 9.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory . . . .” 2 Cor. 4:17.

In 2 Peter 1 we see that the virtues are the glory that give us an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and if we are to have the opportunity of “manifesting” virtue, we must also come into tribulations. Col. 3:12-13. There is ample opportunity to partake of the virtues in tribulations, but if that is to happen, we have to keep in mind the things that are not seen. If we are blind to the things that are not seen, we see only the present—the things that are corruptible. Then we are shortsighted.

Consequently, the person who is not diligently manifesting virtues in his faith is shortsighted. He is busy with the present situations, becoming impatient and malicious. He is blind to the eternal glory he can gain by increasing in patience and goodness. He has also forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. He had fallen in all kinds of sins, needing salvation and cleansing, because he had lived for this world. If he were to continue living in this shortsighted manner, he would never be set free from sin and be made alive, becoming fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We must focus on the things that are not seen if we are to be set free from sin and be fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then we can give all diligence to manifest virtue in our faith, “for if you do these things you will never stumble.” Shortsighted people stumble over all kinds of things; they even fall. On the other hand, if we are busy manifesting the virtues, we see clearly and can see the consequences of what we say and do, and thus have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.