Have you ever had your eyes opened?

Scripture: Colossians 2:11-15 NLT – 11 When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

o The blinders are removed

§ 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT – 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

§ Colossians 2:11 NLT – 11 When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.

§ John 3:3-6 NLT – 3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.

§ Colossians 2:12 NLT – 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

§ John 9:24-25 NLT – 24 So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, “God should get the glory for this, because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.” 25 “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”

o You are made alive in Christ

§ Psalm 51:1-3 NLT – Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. 2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. 3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.

§ Colossians 2:13-14 NLT – 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

§ Psalm 103:12 NLT – 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

§ Romans 6:18 NLT – 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

§ Colossian 2:15 NLT – 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Next Steps

o Memorize: John 3:3 NLT – 3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

o Evaluate: What was life like before you said yes to following Jesus?

o Action: Take some time to thank God for how He has opened your eyes and share your story with someone this week.