WORD Study™ - Studying the WORD OF GOD one WORD at a time
WORD Study 3D - Part 3 of 3
"VIEW"
We have now learned from Part 1 of WORD Study - 3D how 3D art teaches us about the "PERSON" of God. God is one unique God in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.
We have also experienced from Part 2 of WORD Study - 3D how our reaction to seeing 3D art parallels our reaction when we have experienced the "EXISTENCE" of God. Once we believe based on God revealing Himself to us, we can never unbelieve His existence.
Now let's take a look at how 3D art can teach us about our "VIEW" of God.
(Note: This WORD Study - 3D series uses a form of art called 3D Stereograms to teach us Biblical truths. If you are unfamiliar with this style of art and do not have an art book available with examples, please visit the following website to learn more about 3D Stereograms: www.eyetricks.com/3Dstereo.htm
We can only "view" something if there is something to be viewed and something to view with. In our 3D example, the "something to be viewed was the 3D picture and we used our eyes to view the "something to be viewed. We have also learned that when we use our eyes to view the art and the art transforms into a three dimensional image, we are fascinated and eagerly search for more pictures to view.
Since this is a WORD Study based on the Bible, you have probably concluded that the "something to be viewed" that we will be looking at will be the Bible. But this next question may be a little tricky. What do you think that we will be using to view the Bible - our "something to be viewed?" If you have answered "my eyes," you are incorrect. The correct answer is "my heart."
Our eyes can see and read the Bible without understanding just like we can look at a 3D picture without understanding. But just like we open our minds to study and see the 3D picture, when we open our hearts to study and learn the Bible, we begin to see God's majesty and message to each of us.
Just think what you would have missed if you had not taken the time to look at and study the 3D pictures. In the same manner that we use our eyes to view the 3D, the Bible consistently uses this imagery of the eyes to describe our view of God. If you just pass by God and say, in a manner of speaking, "Oh, God is like just another picture, there's nothing special about Him that interests me," then you are missing out on the awesomeness and power of the God who created the universe in which you live! You will miss out on seeing God!
We, as humans can relate easily to the example of using our eyes to see and the Bible is constantly using this imagery to tell us that when we "see" with the "eyes" of our heart, we will "see" or "view" the wonderful truths that God is communicating to us through the universe around us and His Word, the Bible.
Therefore, let's look at some of the Bible verses that talk about eyes and let's study together the truth that God has placed in His Word for all to see when they study with an open heart. While we read these verses, I want you to consider what these verses say that our eyes of our heart should be seeing when we read and study God's Word.
Psalm 119:18
"Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law."
Question: What can be viewed from this verse?
Answer: The truths of God's law.
Genesis 3:7
"At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness."
Question: What can be the result of viewing from this verse?
Answer: Shame
Matthew 6:22-23
"Your eye is a lamp for your body. A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul. But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness."
Question: Spiritually speaking, your eye allows you to look into what?
Answer: Your soul.
Acts 26:18
"to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me."
Question: When your eyes are open, what will you do?
Answer: Turn away from the power of Satan and turn to God resulting in forgiveness and becoming one of God's people.
2 Corinthians 4:18
"So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."
Question: When we see God within the picture of our life, what do we see that we have not yet seen?
Answer: The joys to come that will last forever.
Just from these verses, we can read that God is trying over and over to tell us that we don't just have physical eyes to see what is around us, but we have spiritual eyes. God gives us a choice of what we can look at with our spiritual eyes. We can just live our life and only use our physical eyes. Doing this is like going through life and just looking at a 3D picture without seeing the 3D image that is within. You may choose to pass it by because the picture looks all jumbled up and confusing which actually describes our life without our eyes fixed on God.
However, when we live our life and choose to use our spiritual eyes, then we will see God and all of the awesome glory surrounding Him. We will be drawn into the realm of His glory just like the verses say that we just read. In fact, let's put together all of these verses "to see" what we come up with:
When we use our spiritual eyes to see and understand God's law (Psalm 119), then we will see the shame of our sin and guilt as compared to God's glory (Genesis 3). And as we begin to see God, our soul will strive to be with Him (Matthew 6) which will result in our wanting to turn away from the darkness of sin that we have known and to turn instead (Acts 26) to focusing on the joys to come that will last forever (2 Corinthians 4).
Let's listen to what was just read again because just like once we saw our 3D image, we tried to see it again more clearly, we just actually saw a glimpse of the "Gospel Message" of the Bible so that we want to look again and see more clearly what God is showing and teaching us.
These few verses describe the "Big Picture," so to speak, of what you will "see" in the Bible over and over maybe in different contexts and words, but always a similar picture of what God is wanting us to see. When we study God's Word further like we studied the 3D art further, this is what we will see:
That God's law is perfect,
That we are guilty of breaking God's law,
That we want to be with God,
That we have to turn away from evil and turn to God, and
That when we do, we will have the joy of living with God forever.
To finish up, let's summarize God's simple gospel message to each of us from the verses that we read and ask yourself whether the eyes of your heart are seeing and responding to the truths that God is revealing to all those who will seek Him. Remember our verse from Part 2 of our 3D WORD study:
Luke 11:9-10
"And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds, and the door is opened to everyone who knocks."
By asking for God's wisdom, seeking His will, and looking into His Word, we have now received a truth from God just from the verses that we read above. From these verses, then, let's paint God's picture painted within His Word and allow our hearts to be open to "VIEW" what God is offering to all those who place their trust and believe in the "PERSON" of God and His "EXISTENCE."
When we use our spiritual eyes to see and understand God's law,
Then we will see the shame of our sina dn guilt as compared to God's glory.
And as we begin to see God, our soul will strive to be with Him
Which will result in our wanting to turn away from the darkness of sin that we have known
And to turn instead to focusing on the joys to come that will last forever.
When we see God's message of eternal salvation and that He is offering us joy forever, our hearts within us will leap with joy at what we have seen.
My prayer is:
That you have personally met the "PERSON" of God
That you have come to personally believe in the "EXISTENCE" of God
That your heart has been opened to grow in your "VIEW" of God.
God Uses Everyday Things to teach us about Him - Even 3D Stereograms.
Scripture quotation is taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996 Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois 60189 All Rights Reserved
May the Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 4:24-26