Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can't Lose. Series

It’s always a great experience go gather with thousands of people and worship. Corporate worship is a requirement for real believers. Being in a Bible study group is also an important requirement. But as great as being with other people is, I must say the sweetest times of worship I’ve ever had have been when I’ve been alone with the Lord in my quiet time.

The first thing Jesus did was to take this man by the hand and lead him away from unbelief into a place where He could deal with Him personally. That’s the first touch of conviction. Can you remember the first time you felt your need for God?

II. THE SECOND TOUCH OF CONVERSION

Let’s notice the second time Jesus touched the blind man. The Bible says, “When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, ‘Do you see anything?’ He looked up and said, ‘I see people; they look like trees walking around.’” When Jesus removed His hands from the blind man’s eyes, his vision was restored, but not perfectly. One moment, this man was living in darkness and the next moment, he was in the light. His eyes were opened, but his vision was still blurry. For each of us who don’t have naturally perfect 20/20 vision, you can relate to this state. How do things look when you take off your glasses or remove your contacts?

According to my eye Doctor, Jeff Pennell, about 2 out of 3 Americans need some kind of vision correction, so we can relate to this man’s statement. Giving him sight was a miracle, but it was also a parable. In the Bible, moving from darkness to light is a symbol of conversion. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “God has called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Let’s learn a couple of important lessons about conversion.

A. Regeneration happens instantly

There is a great deal of misunderstanding concerning regeneration, which means being born again. To explain this truth simply, I’m going to draw an imaginary line on the platform. Everyone on this side of the line is lost without Jesus Christ. We were all here at one time. And when you step over the line, you move from darkness to light. The Bible also calls it passing from death unto life.

I’m not calling this step salvation, because the word salvation really refers to the entire purpose of God in your life. I’m talking about the point of conversion—the point of regeneration. Being born again is an instantaneous experience. You grow up to it, and hopefully, you grow from it, but there is a point where you move from death to life and from darkness to light.

In John 3 Jesus had a conversation with a very religious man named Nicodemus. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (John 3:5-6) Now notice I didn’t just dream up this analogy of birth; Jesus chose it.

Through the years I’ve heard some people say, “Oh, I’ve always been a Christian.” I have never challenged anyone on that, but I don’t believe it’s possible. It’s like saying, “Oh, I’ve always been alive.” To have ALWAYS been a Christian would mean you were born sinless and then you never sinned. The Bible says we have ALL sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We all need to be born again.