Bible Text: Matt. 6:22-24   | WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY (20/02/20)

Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement

 

Topical Study:   CHRIST’S SERMON ON THE MOUNT (Study 18):

IF THINE EYE BE SINGLE …

Text:                                            Matt. 6:22-24

 

INTRODUCTION: It is to be recalled that Christ’s sermon of the Mount centres on the essentials of the kingdom – the kind of life-style that guarantees a believer entry into it at the end of his life here on earth, the Lord Jesus went on to show the need for any believer to have a single eye. We will approach this topic: IF THINE EYE BE SINGLE … from these 3 viewpoints: 1. Meaning and Implication Of Having A Single Eye   2.  Why We Must Have A Single Eye and 3.  Benefits Of Having A Single Eye.

 

Meaning and Implication Of Having A Single Eye (Matt. 6:22-24)

 

The “eye” under reference is the eye of the inner man or the mind/heart. If thine eye be single … is a figurative expression which refers to a mind/heart that is focussed or undistracted (Matt. 6:22-23; Lk. 11:34-36). Jesus would have us to have a single eye so that our whole body might be full of light as the light of the body is the eye. By this He means that a Christian indeed should be one whose mind is focussed and undistracted in regard to the Christian vocation/calling. Corroborating this Paul the apostle stated that Christian life and service must be with singleness of heart/mind (Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22,23). The early Christians serve God with singleness of heart/mind (cp. Acts 2:46). Having single eye or single heart means setting the heart/mind on one thing – that which matters most both in time and in eternity (cp. Lk. 10:38-42; Phil. 3:13).

 

It involves setting the mind/heart essentially on the things above (Col. 3:1-3). It means not allowing the mind to be distracted from the very essence of our existence, namely: loving God and serving Him acceptably (cp. Eccl. 12:13,14; Mk. 12:29-30).

 

The Lord would have our eye to be single on: (i) the things that concern the salvation and well-being of our soul (Acts 2:40); (ii) the things that pertain to the salvation and well-being of the souls of others (cp. Amos 6:3-6; Phil. 2:4); (iii) the reality and glory of heaven and having same (the glory of heaven) (cp. Jn. 14:1-3; Acts 7:55-60); (iv) the reality and horror of hell and avoiding same (the horror of hell) (cp. Mk. 9:43-48); (v) the imminence of  rapture and readiness for it (1Cor. 15:51-53; 1Thess. 4:13-17).

 

If there is any time this divine counsel (of having our eye single) is very urgent it is now (the last lap of the last days) when the devils are more set than ever before to disillusion, distract and deceive even the very elect (cp. Matt. 24:24; Rev. 12:12). Having a single eye is a condition of mind that make for dedicated service to the Lord. And one does not need to relinquish all secular engagements in order to serve the Lord with single eye or single heart (cp. Acts 20:31-35).

 

Meanwhile, examine yourself. Do you have a single eye in the appropriate direction? If not, this is the proper time to get it. If you already have it, you can increase therein, as we rise now to call upon the Lord.

 

Fellowship Songs:

The Old Rugged Cross (HSCF 29)