I See Because I Believe
Greetings, brothers and sisters. This is Dr. James Perry continuing with our series where we seek to
explore the deeper meanings of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Over the years, the heavenly
Father has revealed many revelations of spiritual truth to me, and I want to share them with you. This
morning we consider the meaning of seeing because we believe.
And now, sit back and listen to today's message.
I See Because I Believe
"And Jesus said unto them. 'If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this
mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible
unto you.'" Matthew, Chapter 17, Verse 20.
Brothers and sisters, this morning we consider the material and spiritual aspects of our minds. The
difference between the two might be summarized as follows: the materialized mind says I believe
because I see; the spiritualized mind says I see because I believe. Thus we see that interpretations
of all reality in the mind can be drawn from these two statements.
In examining material reality, it is not strange that our material minds should hold sway over the
fundamental position that seeing is believing. The material mind is wedded to the material body.
Much unhappiness and disappointment results from the material mind assigning material effects with
spiritual causes. The material mind must see in order to function with material reality. Without the
object in sight, it has no opportunity to manipulate it. This postulate is self evident for the material
mind. The material minds sees a lot of things. After the seeing has taken place, it then believes. For
example, as I prepare this broadcast, I see a computer screen, a keypad, and so on. I believe. I see the
CPU units just off to my left; therefore I believe. I see the table upon which the computer screen is
resting; therefore I believe. I see the house that I live in, and so on. These things are perceivable by
my five senses. I can touch, feel, see, smell or hear them. Even on the higher levels of material
reality, the effects must be translated to a level where they become susceptible to our five senses
before we can believe them. These things and their meanings are understood in the material mind.
This understanding of their meanings allow us to manipulate and transform them.
On the other hand, "believing is seeing" makes use of a whole new faculty of our minds. This faculty
is spiritual faith. And this spiritual faith is the guarantee that believing is seeing. It is the seeing
(comprehension) of divine values and meanings. What do I see by believing? First, I see a
relationship between the heavenly Father and myself. I see a relationship characterized by love and
mercy, a relationship of love and mercy no matter how difficult or painful or disappointing material
reality might be. The love and mercy of the Heavenly Father always surrounds me, whispering in my
ear, "that this too shall pass, be patient."
I see truth, beauty and goodness. I see a universe of divine values and meaning. I see a universe filled
with hope and trust, joy and peace. I see an eternal career of progressive growth and development.
I see a universe filled with my brothers and sisters whom I am learning to love and to trust. I see a
universe filled with responsibility where we are interdependent. I see a universe of unselfish regard
for another. I see a universe that is friendly, one that is designed for my welfare, my growth and
development. I see divine values and meanings in all activities.
This "believing is seeing" aspect of the material mind is destined to progressive develop within the
material mind until it becomes perfect even as Jesus is perfect. Since both of these aspects of
perceiving reality occur in our minds, it becomes eternally important to identify with the believing
aspect in terms of spiritual meanings and values of life, the purpose and joy of life. For while
material meanings and values can impart satisfaction for a season, they have no eternal roots and are
destined to suffer extinction. In short, a mind that is solely occupied with seeing is believing is
destined to perish.
When we integrate these two views of reality into our selves, we render the material to Caesar while
we render the spiritual to God. Such a unified self does not make the mistake of worshiping material
reality but worships the heavenly Father. The supreme purpose of its life is spiritual not material and
its supreme goals, that which all of its spiritual energies are supremely spent, are spiritual. The
driving force of the self is the wholehearted desire to do the Father's will. To achieve eternal union
with the Father is its eternal goal.
This concludes today's message on understanding the meaning of seeing because we believe. We
hope you find something in this message to ponder and pray about as you go about your day.
Until next time, this is Dr. James Perry.
Inspirational Messages
By Dr. James Perry
Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done!
I See Because I Believe
