We are born anew! We should see with new eyes! The kingdom of God is not apparent to most, however. Not everyone has new eyes. And some that do, don't know how to use them.
Jesus answered them saying," The kingdom of God
cometh not with observation; Neither shall they say
Lo here! or Lo there! (Look here! or Look there! as
though it could be seen with the natural eye) for behold
the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17.20-21
The apostle Paul knew all about the kingdom that was established when Christ sent the power of the Holy Spirit. He knew it and saw it in such a way that miracles and healings- a demonstration of the Spirit and power, followed him wherever he went. This happened as a witness from God to the world. The witness of the authority of this great King to do what he would in the world- raising up Kings like Paul, who would manifest this kind of spiritual authority.
'And these signs shall follow them that believe..." Mark 16.17
Paul's believing in such a way was predicated by his vision. Significantly, after Paul's encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, he was stricken blind. He could no longer see as he was accustomed to seeing with the natural eyes that God gave him. But I have a feeling that this did not bother him as much as we might think, for his attention was powerful captivated by a heavenly and inward reality that opened up to him with the entrance of God's word.
"The entrance of thy word brings light..."Psalm 119.130
When heaven's light dawns on us a whole new realm comes alive to our spiritual senses. Where once Paul was dead- he was now alive; where once he was deceived and thought he did God service- now he walked in Him who is Truth; where once his ministry was one of death and chaos for Christian believers- now it was life and divine order. When once we are, like Paul, introduced to the Light, we will never long be able to be satisfied with any darker realities. When once we get the attention of God we will never again be satisfied with the attention of mere men. One touch from God brings with it an illumination that will teach us much and leave us ever ruined for anything else.
"It would be better not to have known the way..."2 Peter 2.21
And so Paul though blinded found another sort of vision as he beheld the kingdom within. The light that came to shine on his inner darkness worked within him powerfully, enabling him to see things both near and afar off, quickened as he was by the manifestation of Christ and the call to take this new sight and communicate it to others. Jesus spoke directly to Paul and presented himwith the call-
"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may reveive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." Acts 26.18
Behold Me Part IV