I used to think 20/20 vision was perfect vision and one could not get any better than that. Such is not the case. 20/20 vision is considered average or normal vision. Someone with 20/20 vision is able to see from 20 feet away what the average person is able to see from that distance. There are some with vision so sharp they are able to see at 20 feet what the average person can see at 15 feet. This would be 20/15 vision.
Of course, in addition to vision, the number 2020 brings to mind the New Year.
Let us consider a verse from the Bible that might link these ideas of vision and time.
In Acts 20, Paul is addressing the Ephesian eldership for the last time. Verse 20 reads, “how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house”.
I would suggest this describes 20/20 vision according to the Scriptures. Note the ideas contained therein.
I kept back nothing – Psa 139:17 reminds us of the importance of considering the entirety of GOD’S word. We must be very careful when taking a verse out of context and misapplying the meaning.
A very important principle to remember when interpreting the Scriptures is always interpret a passage so that it is in harmony with every other passage of Scripture. The Bible will never contradict itself.
An example of this is found in Acts 2:21 where we read “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Lifting this passage out of context would lead us to think salvation is found by simply calling Jesus’ name. But that is clearly in conflict with Matthew 7:21 which tells us “not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” The dilemma is resolved by studying what is involved in calling on the name of the LORD.
I kept back nothing implies taking the whole counsel of GOD. A text taken out of context becomes a pretext and will lead us into error.
Proclaimed it to you – 2 Tim 2:2 describes our personal responsibility in the chain of teaching GOD’S word. If someone taught us the truth, it is our responsibility to pass it on. Note the 4 generations in verse 2. Paul instructed Timothy, and encouraged him to instruct other faithful men and women who would in turn pass the truth on to others.
Taught you publicly – The Scriptures give us examples of both public and private instruction. The important lesson for us is to realize our responsibility to teach. Some will say they teach and influence others by their example. Such can be true but in Matthew 28:20 in the great commission, the word translated “teaching” means to verbally instruct someone. This doesn’t mean we all have to stand before a class and teach but we each have a responsibility to share the Gospel with others.
From house to house – Paul said he taught them publicly but he also taught privately from house to house.
Acts 2:46 is the account of the new believer’s activities in the days following their conversion. They were in one another’s homes regularly. As much as we love the church building and our gatherings there, loving relationships are not built during the few hours each week we sit with one another in a church structure. The deep, caring relationships for which we strive are built sitting around a dining room table sharing the stories of life. We need to be in one another’s homes in order to be in one another’s lives.
My hope as we enter this New Year is to grow in this area. I want to teach publicly and I want to teach privately sitting around the dining room table. And as I do so, I want to proclaim the whole counsel of GOD.
Help us each to commit to growing in this New Year. May we be stronger and more committed to the truth at year’s end if GOD allows us to see the end of 2020.