As we continue our column in the “Newness of Life”, we must not lose our bearing seeing we have been on it for years now and new readers are joining us mid stream. Hence the need to always reiterate and refocus the reader on what we are tracing.
Newness of life is the life that Jesus Christ expects and demands from His own disciples. “Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life”. (Rom 6:4).
This newness of life is what Jesus took time to expound in Matthew Chapters 5, 6, and 7 to His disciples. Over time we have considered the nature and expressions of this new life. The newness of life represents Jesus’ lifestyle; which He lived when He came into the world and therefore, He has left us an example that we should follow.
This new life is quite distinct from the old sinful life we all were born with – that is the life of the first Adam. When we are born again the Old sinful life is terminated and put to death, and the new life emerges through resurrection. Many believers do not walk in this newness of life mainly because the teachings and emphasis on Christlike life is scarce.
Newness of life therefore is showing us the lifestyle of a disciple of Jesus Christ, which every believer ought to be living normally.
In this edition we shall consider Matthew 6:22-23.
“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”
THE MEANING OF SINGLE EYE
What does it mean to have a single eye? Other translations called single eye: a sound eye, healthy eye, good eye etc.
A single eye is one that fulfills its function – which is to see. To see clearly the eye must be focused. When the eye is focused it means all the rays of light from the eye converges at a single point. The effect is that the eye sees clearly. On the other hand if the eye is not single it means the eye is not good.
Jesus was not talking about the physical sight but spiritual sight. If your spiritual eye is single your life will be filled with light.
Jesus wants His disciples to live a focused life. As believers who have risen with Christ we are enjoined to seek the things above; “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1,2)
To focus one’s mind on the things on the earth and spiritual darkness and instability overrules. James 1:7,8 told us that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Such a person should not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. This is the reason why many believers are not enjoying their Christian lives because they are limping between two opinions – walking in the Spirit or living in the flesh?
What you focus on controls your lifestyle automatically. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit” (Rom 8:5). Whatever one focuses on preoccupies the mind and hence affects one’s action. If you focus on the wrong thing the output of your life will be wrong. If on the other hand you focus on the right things your output will be right.
The power of focus is like lifting an object at the fulcrum, it gives you maximum displacement or impact. Light when it is focused on a point has tremendous power when you converge it to a point on a piece of paper, through a convex lens, it burns the paper. This is so because the light energy is concentrated at a point, but when the light beam is scattered it does not make any impact on the paper. In the same vein when we focus or set our minds on the things of the Spirit we release spiritual energy that propels us toward good deeds and the result is life and peace. “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom 8:6).
SOURCES OF LIGHT
For the physical eye to see it needs light. It is light that enables the eye to see. if there is no light the eye is useless because it can not see in darkness. So without light the eye automatically experiences darkness. In the same way, if we want to see spiritually we need spiritual light. Let us consider some sources of spiritual light:-
Jesus Christ
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” John 8:12
Jesus Christ is our Light. There is no man of God whether a bishop, or reverend, and elder, a pastor, a discipler etc. is our light. We cannot over emphasise this; if you make any man or woman of God, no matter the anointing on him or her, your light or focus, you are building your faith and destiny on a sinking sand. You will definitely have yourself to blame for neglecting the Word of Jesus Christ, when you are disappointed.
Every genuine man or woman of God will tell you plainly (not in tongues) like Paul the apostle: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ”. 1 Cor 11:1; Even Jesus told the Jews “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not”. Jn 10:37. It is only to the extent that a minister of God follows Christ in Word and lifestyle that he should be followed or else your faith will be compromised.
In this time that a lot of false doctrines and practices are being propagated we need a clear direction. If one will be become a victim, then one must focus on Jesus and His teachings. Jesus warned us that in the last days false teachers will abound. The only safety measure is to concentrate on Jesus’ teaching and lifestyle. Paul exhorted the Colossians “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” Col. 3:16,17
So when we are Christ centred our body is full of light and we shall not walk in darkness but we will have the light of life.
The Word
“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalm 119:130
Another sure way to receive light is through the Word of God. Even the ‘simple’ are guaranteed understanding – discernment and comprehension when the Word of God enters.
The entrance of the Word of God gives light, when we receive the Word we receive light and our life is illuminated. The Word of God has a regenerating ability when it comes to us. The Word does not leave you the same, when you receive it. “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out my mouth: it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it”. Isa 55:10,11
Apart from giving us light… the Word of God… recreates, refines, purifies and builds up. The Word of God is the most comprehensive equipment for re-setting the direction of our lives and making us perfect. It means that you must take in the Word daily even as you need to eat daily for your physical existence.
If one claim to be receiving the Word of God and remains in darkness, the person is not speaking the truth. At best the person is receiving the “Letter” of the Word which kills instead of the spirit of the Word which gives life (2 Cor 3:6 KJV)
The Law
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: to keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. (Pro. 7:23, 24)
For the reference just quoted we can see that one sure way of overcoming the evil woman and from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman is by the light of the law and the reproofs of instruction.
In our days the sins of fornication and adultery is rampant among even the ministers cadre. This is so because the warning of the scriptures are neglected. The Law as light is given for a purpose. Though the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom 3:20). It is the law that brings about the conviction of sin through the Holy Spirit. Paul said in Rom 7:7…”had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet”. Wherefore the law was our school master to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Gal 3:24.
EVIL EYE
When the eye is evil or unhealthy the whole body will be full of darkness. The person with a bad eye makes other things the goal of his life. Because he has purposefully turned from God who is light, his darkness is great.
The other side of the evil eye are those who do not mind their own business. They want to meddle on other peoples matter. To further understand the meaning of an evil eye, let us consider the parable of the vineyard workers in Matthew 20:1-16. Those that came first to work at the vineyard agreed with the land owner to work for a denarius a day while for those that came much later the land owner agreed to give them “What is right.”
At the end of the days work, the land owner started paying from the last worker who only put in one hour work. He paid them one denarius which he agreed with the first workers. Those that came first thought they will get something higher than a denarius but they were paid the same amount and they were not happy with the law owner saying, “…these last men have worked only one hour, and you had made them equal to us who have burn the burden and the heat of the day”. But he answered one of them and said, Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? …is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own thing? Or is your eye evil because I am good? Verse 13 and 14.
The Scripture made clear that they that compare themselves with themselves are not wise (2 Cor. 10:12). A disciple of Christ should be content with this lot in life “Be content with such thing as you have”. Otherwise it is an evil eye and it throws the whole body into darkness.
Finally, is your eye focused on the Lord Jesus Christ as the author and finisher of your faith, in whose light you shall see light. Learn to serve God with singleness of purpose and placing the concern of His kingdom first, rather than being anxious about lesser things.