How Can They Be So Blind?

After seeing a TV interview with the Dalai Lama last week, I saw a news article about his newest book “The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World.” Reading the article, I realized how little I knew about him. He is much more influential than I imagined. His first book was translated into 50 languages, sold millions of copies, and sat on the NY Times best-seller list for two years. In 2007, President Bush lauded him as a great religious leader, awarding him the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. And recently Nancy Pelosi presented him the Lantos Human Rights Prize, bowing to and addressing him as “your holiness.”

It is not hard to understand the world’s attraction to the Dalai Lama’s message of peace in a troubled world. But, sadly, at the same time his brand of Buddhism is being acclaimed in high places, the gospel message of Jesus is being mocked and rejected. How can they be so BLIND? Can’t they SEE that Jesus’ offer of everlasting peace and eternal life far surpasses the Dalai’s tender of temporal happiness!?” The answer is: they are blind! “Satan…has BLINDED the minds of those who don't believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don't understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:4, NLT)

After Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened by sin, they and all who were born of them were blind. Jesus came to restore sight to the blind. And the same charge has now been given to us. As children of light we are to ...open the eyes of the blind… to let our light shine before men that they will see our good deeds and praise our Heavenly Father… He has appointed us to be the light of the world. (Eph. 5:8; Mat. 5:16, 14; Is. 42:6, abbreviated, paraphrased, NIV, NLT) Are we faithfully carrying out our charge to light up the world?