Eyes Opened By God Alone

Before salvation, every person is spiritually blind and spiritually dead. They may hear the gospel, but they cannot grasp it. Their heart is closed, their understanding is darkened, and they have no spiritual sight.

 “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.” (Ephesians 4:18)

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”  (Ephesians 2:1)

A blind and dead soul cannot respond to God. This is why salvation never begins with man. It begins with God.

Scripture teaches that God chose His people before the foundation of the world. These are the elect — those given to Christ by the Father.

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will”  (Ephesians 1:4-5)

God’s choice is the foundation of salvation. In His time, He calls His people out of darkness.

Before God opens the eyes, His Word remains hidden. The unsaved may read Scripture, but it does not make sense to them. They may hear preaching, but it does not reach their heart. This is intentional — God reveals His truth only to His own.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Jesus explained this clearly:

“…Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” (Matthew 13:11)

Understanding is given > The elect receive it > The rest remain blind

When God calls a sinner, He gives sight where there was blindness and life where there was death.

“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18)

This is the moment of salvation — the turning point. The elect hear Christ’s voice and respond.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”  (John 10:27)

Jesus that this change is being “born again” It is not a human decision. Its an incredible undeserved gift from and act of God.

“…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  (John 3:3)

Only when God gives new birth does a person see spiritual truth.

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)” (Ephesians 2:5)

Once God gives sight and life, everything changes. The believer becomes a ‘new man’. Leaving the ‘old man’, desires fade, and new desires appear. A burden to know more of Gods bountiful Word.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Sin no longer feels comfortable. Unholy activities no longer fit. The heart is different because God has changed it.

Because of this change, close friendships with the unsaved become spiritually dangerous. Scripture warns against being joined with unbelievers.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness”  (2 Corinthians 6:14)

The elect walk in the light, and light cannot mix with darkness.

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8)

This separation is not pride — it is self-protection. The unsaved cannot help a believer grow in holiness, nor can they understand the new life God has given.

When God opens your eyes, your life turns toward Him. You see Christ clearly. You understand His Word. You walk in the light because God has given you sight.

This is the evidence of true salvation — not a feeling, not a moment, but a changed direction, actions and behaviours.

A life that once walked in darkness now walks in the light. 

A heart that once resisted God now follows Him. 

A soul that was blind now sees.

You are no longer blind. 

You are no longer dead. 

You are born again — by God alone.

MW

(Originally written in 2016 and revised in 2026)