Spiritual Shortsightedness

Introduction:
The Bible contains God’s instructions on godly living and shows man what he must do to be saved. The truth contained within the Scriptures does not contradict itself. Each individual has the responsibility to bring himself into compliance with the will of God. This simple plan had been given to the Israelites after the death of Jesus on the cross. But...all of Israel did not call upon the name of the Lord for salvation. What were they thinking? They had become hardened against the truth. The same can happen to us today! What are some characteristics & consequences of being shortsighted spiritually?

I. Spiritual shortsightedness is caused by unbelief.
   A. Rom. 9:30-33; 11:20 – majority of Israel did not believe in Jesus Christ.
        1. This unbelief cut them off
   B. Man must realize that God has always demanded that man have faith!
        1. Heb. 11:1, 3, 6. Please God by having & acting upon faith!
        2. Jhn. 20:30-31; 8:24; 14:6 – ample info available to produce faith!
        3. Simple faith does NOT produce salvation. Jhn. 1:12 – gives right to b/c a child of God.
    C. Many fail to understand that they must believe things God’s way!
        1. Not at liberty to accept what we like & reject the rest.
        2. This exactly what Jews of Paul’s day were doing. (Rom. 9:30-33)
        3. To reject what God says in anything is a sign of unbelief!
II. Spiritual shortsightedness is caused by one having become hardened.
   A. 11:7 – Israel couldn’t see their rejection b/c they were hardened. Mt 13:11-15.
    B. Who can cause spiritual shortsightedness?
        1. Satan can harden the alien sinner from the truth.
            a) 2 Cor. 4:1-4, 6; Jhn. 3:18-21
            b) suggests there no consequence to sin.
        2. Satan can harden the Christian from the truth.
            a) Heb. 3:12-19
            b) heard….but did not apply.
        3. Men can harden themselves. Involves one’s attitude/"want to." See 2 Pet. 3:9-11
III. Notice what happened to Gentiles after Paul wrote Rom. 11.
   A. Rom. 11:17-22 – warning to Gentiles. Not to become haughty….but fear! (11:20)
    B. Danger that they could have b/c puffed up/prideful/content.
        1. Why didn’t they listen? Few generations later – most forgot this warning & fell.
        2. 2 Tim. 4:2-4; 1 Tim. 4:1-4 – Paul warned of this coming into the church.
    C. Same has happened in the 19th & 20th centuries. What about the 21st century?
IV. Spiritual shortsightedness will cause one to lose his salvation!
   A. Rom. 11:21 still applicable today! Rom. 11 nulls impossibility of apostasy!
    B. Only ones who saved will be those who act upon faith & remain obedient to will of God.
        1. Rev. 2:10; Mt. 7:21-23; 1 Cor. 15:58; Rom. 11:22
    C. Such is only fair. (11:22)) God just/fair in all things. Do good? Reward. Bad? Punish.

Judgment is coming! (Heb. 9:27) Are You Ready?



Spiritual Shortsightedness Introduction: The Bible contains God’s instructions on godly living and shows man what he must do to be saved. The truth contained within the Scriptures does not contradict itself. Each individual has the responsibility to bring himself into compliance with the will of God. This simple plan had been given to the Israelites after the death of Jesus on the cross. But...all of Israel did not call upon the name of the Lord for salvation. What were they thinking? They had become hardened against the truth. The same can happen to us today! What are some characteristics & consequences of being shortsighted spiritually? I. Spiritual shortsightedness is caused by unbelief. A. Rom. 9:30-33; 11:20 – majority of Israel did not believe in Jesus Christ. 1. This unbelief cut them off B. Man must realize that God has always demanded that man have faith! 1. Heb. 11:1, 3, 6. Please God by having & acting upon faith! 2. Jhn. 20:30-31; 8:24; 14:6 – ample info available to produce faith! 3. Simple faith does NOT produce salvation. Jhn. 1:12 – gives right to b/c a child of God. C. Many fail to understand that they must believe things God’s way! 1. Not at liberty to accept what we like & reject the rest. 2. This exactly what Jews of Paul’s day were doing. (Rom. 9:30-33) 3. To reject what God says in anything is a sign of unbelief! II. Spiritual shortsightedness is caused by one having become hardened. A. 11:7 – Israel couldn’t see their rejection b/c they were hardened. Mt 13:11-15. B. Who can cause spiritual shortsightedness? 1. Satan can harden the alien sinner from the truth. a) 2 Cor. 4:1-4, 6; Jhn. 3:18-21 b) suggests there no consequence to sin. 2. Satan can harden the Christian from the truth. a) Heb. 3:12-19 b) heard….but did not apply. 3. Men can harden themselves. Involves one’s attitude/"want to." See 2 Pet. 3:9-11 III. Notice what happened to Gentiles after Paul wrote Rom. 11. A. Rom. 11:17-22 – warning to Gentiles. Not to become haughty….but fear! (11:20) B. Danger that they could have b/c puffed up/prideful/content. 1. Why didn’t they listen? Few generations later – most forgot this warning & fell. 2. 2 Tim. 4:2-4; 1 Tim. 4:1-4 – Paul warned of this coming into the church. C. Same has happened in the 19th & 20th centuries. What about the 21st century? IV. Spiritual shortsightedness will cause one to lose his salvation! A. Rom. 11:21 still applicable today! Rom. 11 nulls impossibility of apostasy! B. Only ones who saved will be those who act upon faith & remain obedient to will of God. 1. Rev. 2:10; Mt. 7:21-23; 1 Cor. 15:58; Rom. 11:22 C. Such is only fair. (11:22)) God just/fair in all things. Do good? Reward. Bad? Punish. Judgment is coming! (Heb. 9:27) Are You Ready?