Spiritual Cataracts?

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” – Matthew 6:22-23
“They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand.” – Isaiah 44:18

How well can you see? Not literally, but spiritually. Are you overwhelmed by “spiritual cataracts” that cloud your vision and your perspective on life and faith? Is your view of others distorted? Do you glimpse only a small glimmer of what faith is (and can be)? In Matthew 6:22-23, the Greek word for “body” meant more than one’s physical anatomy. It meant what we today might call one’s total personality. Keeping this in mind, we could paraphrase Jesus’ words as follows: “The eye is the lamp of your total personality; or in other words, it is the way you see things, the way you look at things, basically your whole perspective on life and faith, even in how you look at others.” The parallels between physical and spiritual cataracts are important to discover in order to avoid any distortion of our vision of Jesus! (2 Corinthians 11:1-5)

Many physical cataracts begin as small spots or specks on the lens of the eye. These spots interfere with light rays that pass through the lens to be focused as an image on the retina in the back of the eye. The greater the number of specks the more obscure the image, resulting in a clouding over of the lens of the eye which causes distorted vision. These specks can become so dense that the entire lens becomes milky white, and the light rays can’t pass through the lens, resulting in blindness. It is interesting to note that the light is still there; it just can’t pass through the lens of the eye. There is no pain; the loss of vision is gradual: it sneaks up on you. Cataracts, if left uncorrected, will eventually result in complete blindness.

Spiritually, little specks of sin can begin to cloud our vision of the light of Jesus. (John 8:12) These spiritual “specks of sawdust” may seem inconsequential at first, but can grow into “planks” that totally obscure our spiritual vision. (Luke 6:41) Two popular spiritual “specks” that can cloud our vision of Jesus are insensitivity to sin and false doctrine. Recently, I have seen first-hand the impact of these “spiritual specks” at one of the most prestigious college campuses in America, Columbia University, currently ranked #4 in the nation according to the U.S. News & World Report. The opportunity to lead a campus ministry in New York City is an incredible honor, as well as an enormous challenge. There are over 125,000 campus students in the New York City area, with thousands of new students entering every year. Sadly, many of these students leave the protection of a sheltered family environment and proceed to engage in countless acts of sexual immorality, debauchery, and drunkenness. While becoming intellectually “wealthy”, they are becoming morally bankrupt.

Spiritual Cataract #1: INSENSITIVITY TO SIN

“They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.” – Ephesians 4:18-19

My insensitivity to sin was a huge cataract that nearly blinded me to the point of no return. To this day I am grateful to God to have escaped from my sexual immorality without fathering a child or contracting a sexually transmitted disease during the first three years of my undergraduate schooling. Despite my success in academics and leadership, I was prideful, deceitful, and morally destitute. My love for pleasure so blinded me that I became totally insensitive to impurity, and instead, had a “continual lust for more.” Despite growing up in a “religious” household, I deceived myself into thinking that my self-imposed ignorance was better than outright hypocrisy.

My exposure to mainstream Christianity through the years had disgusted me to the point of nausea, as I served as an organist in several denominational churches throughout high school. I saw the emotionalism and superficiality of Pentecostal and Evangelical churches, as well as the guilt and obligation imposed by the Catholic Church, and consciously decided to give up hope in discovering the truth. By the time I arrived at Cornell University, I was done; done with the hypocrisy I saw in “churchgoers;” done with the church choirs filled with people that had been immoral the night before; done with preachers whose boring messages did little to challenge or inspire me. By the grace of God, I found the truth of His word during finals week of my junior year and was baptized into Christ! It took brothers getting into my life and gently peeling back the layers of self-deceit to root-out my sin with the Word of God.

Sadly, I believe my life parallels the life of many campus students. Freshman year, students are thrown into the deep waters of secularism and humanism. Their feeble religious foundations easily give way in the face of rampant peer-pressure and promiscuity. Since arriving at New York City last July, we studied with scores of campus students and shared our faith with hundreds resulting in our newest baptisms, Edwin & Carolina, freshmen at the City College of NY (CCNY) this past month! As we talked with the students, it became clear that the “religious” groups on campus were lukewarm due to their lack of sensitivity to sin. This dullness discouraged students who wanted to be radical. Despite engaging several “Christian groups” on various campuses at Columbia, NYU & City College, the message of total commitment is foreign in a land of tolerance and disunity in regards to race, life and doctrine.

How sensitive are you to the sin in your life? How urgent are you to deal with the sin that may be blinding you spiritually from being like Jesus? Are you sensitive to your cowardice, unbelief, and impurity? We must remember that liars go to hell as well! (Revelation 21:8) “Spiritual cataracts” affect both Christians and non-Christians in the same way. So often our sin can blind us to the point where our outlook becomes so jaded that almost nothing can help. The moment we begin to lose our sensitivity to the sin, our spiritual cataracts will continue to grow until we are blinded by our own dullness and inability to act.

This very condition occurred in the lives of many in our former fellowship. They “grew weary and lost heart” through their “hurts,” hardships and disappointments. (Hebrews 12:3) In fact, this bitterness – which manifests itself in anger, criticalness, depression and spiritual numbness – can only be healed by repentance. (Luke 5:31-32) Like Jesus, one must extend forgiveness to all – “[enduring] the cross” and “[enduring] opposition from sinful men.” (Hebrews 12:2-3) Otherwise, they will be forever disheartened, “their eyes…plastered over [from bitterness] so they cannot see, and their minds closed” to God working in a new movement.

Spiritual Cataract #2: FALSE DOCTRINE

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears what to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:2-4

C.S. Lewis used the term “a great cataract of nonsense” to describe how people use a modern idea to misconstrue a Biblically sound practice. Probably the best example today is a false conversion method called “The Sinner’s Prayer.” It is also popularly known as “The Four Spiritual Laws.” Instead of obeying the Bible’s plan of salvation which demands belief, repentance and baptism, hundreds of millions hold to the notion that one can pray Jesus into one’s heart and that baptism is merely “an outward sign of an inward grace.” (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-5, 1 Peter 3:18-21) This false practice began in 19th century America, some 1800 years after the first century church began. When someone seeking salvation looks at the Bible through the lens of what he or she has been taught instead of discerning correct Biblical doctrine, their blind obedience to traditions of men “nullify the Word of God.” (Mark 7:6-9).

Campus Crusade for Christ, or “Cru”, an interdenominational “Christian organization” that began in 1951 through the well-intentioned late Bill and Vonette Bright, sadly is guilty of this false and incorrigible practice. Thousands of students around the world have been sincerely deceived into thinking that praying a prayer without any repentance can lead to their salvation. I still remember the day that my wife went to the Campus Crusade website in order to show the absurdity of such a position. She simply clicked on the button to accept “The Sinner’s Prayer” and was told she was now a “Christian” and should join a local church. I must confess my indignation that so many sincere “believers” are so blinded by their sentimentality through relationships. “They gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear, [turning] away from the truth.” Pray for us to call every “Christian organization” on campuses such as Columbia, NYU and City College to be united in obedience to the Word of God! We will soon be hosting a Christian Evidences series entitled, “Christianity: Biblically Defined” that will expose the false doctrines present in mainstream Christianity and challenge students to discover what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus!

When: 11:00 A.M

So – What is a “Bible Talk?”

So glad you asked!
It is an informal bible discussion where a small group gets together and digs into the scriptures. Sometimes it is a themed discussion (like a particular book, character, or topic) and sometimes it is a series (like, “Spiritual Wars” – a recent series we covered with some concepts from “Star Wars”). All in all, you don’t have to be a “bible scholar” to get engaged in the discussion. If you are “well versed” or not, there is always something for anyone to get out of a bible talk – because it is always powerful to spend time thinking about God’s Word and how it applies to our daily lives.

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

When the Spirit began “the church” on Pentecost, the Scriptures proclaim that those first sold-out disciples were so enthralled with their salvation that their days were “love-feasts” of worship celebrations, fellowship meals, and meeting each other’s needs. Acts 2 reads, “[The 3000] who accepted the message were baptized… They devoted themselves… to the fellowship. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet togetherin the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God!” Likewise, to this day disciples are moved by the same Spirit to “encourage one another daily so that [no one]…turns away from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12-13) This “24/7″ love identifies Jesus’ disciples in both the first and the twenty-first centuries! (John 13:34-35)

The Bible teaches when a person is baptized into Christ and their sins are forgiven (Acts 2:38) at that same moment the Spirit baptizes them into the body of Christ, the church universal. (1 Corinthians 12:13) To be devoted, “sold-out” to Christ, one must be devoted to the church, His body. Consider this analogy, if one’s arm or leg is severed, it is extremely painful to one’s entire body. However, if the limb is not quickly reattached, the limb will surely die. As many of us can testify, when a disciple misses church, “the body of Christ” hurts. If the struggling Christian does not get “reattached” with the church, he eventually dies spiritually – he falls away.

God is clear: daily involvement with fellow disciples is explicitly commanded in Hebrews 3:12-13. Therefore, “anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (James 4:17) Today in “Christendom,” people are not only lacking meaningful daily discipling friendships, but they are “habitually” missing the formal “meetings of the body.” This sin of omission of missing church perpetually is alarming! For some, it is a heart issue of wrong priorities. For others, they are deceived to believe that the call to attend “all” worship services is legalistic. Too often congregational leaders, where only half the membership attends midweek services, have confused “love and patience” for the toleration of sin. (Revelation 2:20-23) From other pulpits, there is a cowardly silence on “church attendance,” because of the fear of losing members and thus contribution, if they challenge people as Jesus did the rich young ruler. (Mark 10:17-29) Jeremiah’s words ring true, “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land; the prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way!” Sadly, in some cases where there is lukewarm church attendance, the minister simply lacks the training and skill to motivate disciples’ hearts through the Word.

Written in the early 60′s AD, the book of Hebrews addresses disciples who had been “in the Kingdom” for 10, 20, even 30 years. The Spirit challenges these brothers to once again “fix their eyes on Jesus,” stop “drifting away,” and stop “ignoring such a great salvation.” (Hebrews 2:1-3) In Hebrews 10:25, one of the symptoms of hearts that have drifted from Jesus is forthrightly addressed, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.”

Consider Hebrews 10:25 in context. All of Hebrews 10 is a passionate plea of the Holy Spirit to return to God. The Spirit says, “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Christ… We have confidence by the blood of Christ to draw near to God… [Therefore] let us not give up meeting together… [for] if we deliberately keep on sinning after we received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sin is left… only judgment… [If we do not change we] have trampled the Son of God under foot… treating as an unholy thing [His] blood… [thus] insulting the Spirit of grace. Remember your earlier days after you received the light… You were publicly exposed to insult and persecution [and] stood side by side with [your fellow disciples]… You joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you know that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.” (Hebrews 10 – emphasis mine)

In Hebrews 10 perpetually missing church is drifting from God and in this we “insult the Spirit of grace!” (Hebrews 10:29) It is through His blood that the church universal exists, the Kingdom exists. No longer should one be deceived that the call to church attendance Sunday, midweek or even for Bible Talk gatherings is legalism; it’s all about our response to God’s grace. Legalism is not the act, but the attitude in our hearts during the act. No longer can one put one’s job or tiredness from one’s job, children or school as an excuse not to come to worship, for in “earlier days” we forfeited our possessions in persecutions for “something better.” Our lives cannot be consumed with a worldly “something better” as in making more money. Jesus says, “The worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desire for other things come in and choke the Word, making it unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19)

God’s people throughout the Bible have been called “family.” (Ephesians 2:19) In a physical family, God requires obedience from a wife to her husband and children to their parents. (Ephesians 5:24; 6:1) Interestingly, nowhere in the Bible does it prescribe a set time for a family to eat dinner. I know of no family that just spontaneously shows up for dinner at the exact same time.

Ultimately, the father exerts his leadership and sets the time for dinner, the “meeting together” of the family. (If he is wise he will ask for input from his wife and kids!) So it should be in each congregation. When the leaders call for “church” at 10:00 am on Sundays or 7:30 pm Wednesdays or Bible Talk during the week, the flock is called by God to obey them. “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.” (Hebrews 13:17) This is not, nor should leaders make it, an oppressive or harsh call to obey, but the caring voice of shepherds protecting, strengthening and persuading the flock’s hearts.

This begs the question, “Are there any reasons to miss worship services or Bible Talk, such as sickness, depression, vacation, family occasions, or even high school sports?” Yes, but as with a family, these absences should involve communication with the leaders, as the leaders are held accountable for your souls. Out of respect and love, absences should not be independently decided. Family works together! However, if you still feel differently from the leadership, by talking with the leadership and hearing their direction, correction or advice, they are no longer accountable to God for your decision. (Ezekiel 3:16-21)

Remember, ultimately you will be held accountable by God for your decision not to attend. It must be said, if your decision not to attend has merit, then either the leaders simply have a “different opinion” which is alright with God (Romans 14:2-3), or they will answer to God for their sins of stubbornness or insensitivity. Remember, when leaders sin (and they will) do not become bitter, which can cause you to miss the grace of God. (Hebrews 12:15) The Scriptures are clear: overall church attendance and the daily encouragement of disciples are not matters of opinion, but commands of God. Jesus preached, “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness…” Christ and His Kingdom, the church, are the “first priority” of the disciple of Jesus, not one’s physical family or certainly not one’s job.

Another question now must be asked by the faithful, “What should I do if a fellow disciple misses a meeting of the body for unknown reasons?” Well, as with a family member who misses dinner, do not jump to conclusions, find out the facts! However, be urgent in your follow-up, as you would your family. Many passages tell us we are our “brother’s keeper,” yet Ezekiel 3 goes even further. If after talking with the brother, it turns out that he has sinned in missing worship, then with compassion we must confront the sin. Even when gently confronted, some rebellious individuals will defensively complain, “It’s none of your business why I did not come. You are judging me!” To the shock of many, the Bible clearly teaches we are to judge each other, though not hypocritically. “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5) Concerning “judging” Paul writes, “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13) Paul had deep convictions that other Christians’ lives were “his business.” Do we?

During a hard week, there are times when a disciple’s “foot will almost slip… and even envy the arrogant, when he sees the prosperity of the wicked.” Yet, the Spirit says though life can be “oppressive,” when one “enters the sanctuary of God [one] understands [the wicked's] final destiny,” then one rejoices that the Lord is “his refuge.” (Psalm 73) Likewise, worshipping restores my soul and refocuses me on pleasing God. I am so refreshed by celebrating Christ’s death and resurrection during communion, singing praises to God, hearing the Word preached, interacting in deep and meaningful conversations, and then relaxing at an awesome Sunday lunch with disciples and friends!

Today, Lord willing, as you read this article, Elena & I are enjoying the Sunday Service of the European Missions Conference in London! What a joy to be reunited in worship and fellowship with our dear “partners in the gospel” Michael & Michele Williamson, Blaise & Patricia Feumba, and Coltin & Mandee Rohn all of London, Argo & Anu Arneson of Stockholm, Oleg & Aliona Sirotkin of Kiev, Carlos & Lucy Mejia of Washington DC, Mike & Brittany Underhill of Chicago, and so many others!

Indeed, “church” has been the highlight of my week since I was baptized at 17 over 39 years ago! Therefore in light of all these Scriptures, if going to church is a burden, repent. If going to church is boring and not life-changing, your leadership needs to repent. If they do not, then at all costs, find a congregation of sold-out disciples. Seek without pause, a church where the pulpit unapologetically calls each member to the standard of Christ and the Biblical doctrines of salvation. Seek without pause, a church where every member has a deep sense of mission to “seek and save the lost” and a dream to change the world. Seek without pause, a church eagerly embracing the “abundant life” and passionately loving one another more than this earthly life. “Seek and you will find.” (Matthew 7:7) And to God be the glory!

Kip McKean