The “Eyes” Have It?

Most anyone who has lived in a modern civilized culture for the last quarter century or so is rarely shocked by anything. Although few give God the credit, many are convinced that man, given enough time and money, will eventually invent nearly everything ever needed in this life. Of course those things will include destructive devices that can literally wipe their home planet out of existence.

But now, German researchers have developed yet another new technology that reportedly allows drivers to steer cars using only their eyes. Raul Rojas, a researcher at Berlin's Free University, claims that a miraculous new unit actually allows the driver’s eye movements to steer their vehicles without having to use their hands or steering wheel. A Dodge Caravan was tested at a German airport. The project, known as ‘Eyedriver’, seemed successful at allowing the operator to control the van up to 31 mph. Phase two will be to increase the speed to double the current rate - again using only the eyes as the source control of the vehicle’s direction.

Rojas said, "The car can do everything. It can drive autonomously or it can be guided by a driver's eyes." The compromise is a mode that has the car driving on its own. It bases critical decisions on input from scanners and cameras should the operator’s focus be briefly interrupted, for example, by perhaps looking at an attractive young lady standing at an intersection. He claims the car stops at intersections and asks the driver for guidance on which road to take. The car will begin moving again after the driver looks at his desired direction for a few seconds.

According to Rojas, "Autonomous driving systems may considerably change our mobility in the future."

The single most important use of the eyes is for the reading the Word of God. There one finds the eyes and sight used in a variety of ways to illustrate Biblical and spiritual truth. Back at the beginning of man’s initial time upon earth it was the eyes that helped initiate the original sin in Genesis 3. God warned Eve to resist even touching a special fruit in the midst of their garden home. But the serpent tempted her and promised her that partaking of it would open her and her husband’s spiritual eyes and make them God-like. Tragically they both took the brutal bait and their disobedience tarnished their innocence and plunged the entire race that would follow into sin, pain, chaos, and judgement. (Genesis 3:4-7)

The terrible result of their horrific decision has been evidenced globally since that fateful error. The basic reason for the mistake is revealed in Proverbs 2 and shows how the eyes of a man’s heart can be easily blinded regarding right versus wrong where it counts - in the eyes of a holy God. Vs 2 reads, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.” Then in chapter thirty, the same idea is reaffirmed. Verse 12 reads, “There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filthiness.”

The pain and damage caused by sin is beyond human calculation. A pure and just God’s response to this open rebellion is seen through Proverbs 26:12. “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Amos 9:8 reads, "Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are on the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from the face of the earth.” God’s righteousness demands justice. His own nature and attributes leave Him no other choice but to judge sin one way or another.

The reason, and perhaps the best overall biblical description, for the ongoing godless behavior of humanity is revealed in detail in Romans 3:11-18, with the final verse summing up the primary problem.

“There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one. Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit. The poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace they have not known." Then verse 18 reveals the issue that causes all of the above and more. "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

But despite man’s constant rebellion, it is staggering to know that a merciful and loving God is still willing to forgive and save lost sinners – something that occurs when the eyes of their hearts see the error of their ways and Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.

1 Peter chapter 3 substantiates this great truth beginning in verse12. He writes, “He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers.”

Jesus made the requirements clear for what is needed for any to be seen as spiritually right and forgiven in the eyes of God. He used an effective parable seen in Luke 18. Starting in verse 10 He stated, "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Salvation is about accurately seeing who we are, viewing Jesus Christ as He really is, and accepting by faith what He did to open the eyes of our hearts and make us all new creations in Him.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Bill Breckenridge