Let Others See Your New Life

JOHN 9:8-12 Key verse: “The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?” ( John 9:8 ).

There are contrasts in life that do not require any expertise to acknowledge. Light and darkness, white and black, hot and cold cannot be mistaken one for the other. The difference is always clear.

The blind man in our text today has just received his sight. The first few people that saw this change were his neighbours. Some affirmed that he was the one, while others thought it was somebody else that looked like him. He, however, cleared their doubts when he confirmed, “…I am he.” He did not stop there; he went further to share the testimony of how he received his sight.

Man in his sinful state is blind spiritually. Repentance and faith in Christ's atoning blood bring salvation and recovery of spiritual sight. Genuine salvation will however bring clear transformation of life and character. When our conversion is genuine, our neighbours, like the blind man's, will be the first to acknowledge it. The light of salvation in our lives will be so radiant that our families, friends, colleagues and acquaintances will know it. This is where many today miss the mark. They lay claim to salvation and yet live carefree lives. No newness whatsoever is seen in their lives. Old things still remain.

Resolutions made at the end of every year not to do evil are only attempts to be reformed, not repent. As this blind man testified to how he received his sight, so must we testify of how our spiritual eyes were opened and we were saved. We may not fully understand the mystery of salvation, but we must tell it all the same, in simple language to all men.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: True salvation is not only clear but also ever present.

By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi