2 Corinthians 4:4-5
In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them, which believe not, “lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
What of Today’s Verse…
The enemy of men’s souls wants to keep perishing people in spiritual blindness. “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe.” (2Co_4:3-4). This counterfeit god is working on all unbelievers (even as he formerly did with us). “In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Eph_2:2). His influence is so extensive. He works through every system (political, economic, educational, etc.) within the unbelieving world. “The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1Jo_5:19). The primary purpose of Satan’s blinding activities is to keep those in darkness from seeing God’s light: “Lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”
Into this dark and blinded world, we come with the message of light: “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.” Only the light of Jesus can overcome spiritual man. Our Lord proclaimed this wondrous remedy. “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (Joh_8:12). When the light of Jesus shines into man’s darkness, it brings liberating life from God. Paul was sent out with this great gospel: “To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God” (Act_26:18).
We are also sent out as vessels of light. “You are the light of the world” (Mat_5:14). We are light, because Jesus (the true light) lives in, and can shine through, each of us. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Eph_5:8). We can show forth our Lord in deed and in word. As we follow Jesus, His glorious light shines through us. As we speak of Jesus, we declare His glorious majesty.
Remember, the light of the gospel is about the glory of Jesus: “The light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.” Our message is not about us. “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” We are but His servants. He is our message. He is the Lord over all. Thus, He is able to save from all that blinds and binds.
Let us Pray:
Dear Lord of glory, I praise You for Your glory. I thank You for bringing me the light of life. O Lord may Your glory shine in my walk and my words. Please make my message about Your glory, not about my flesh, in Your holy name, Amen.
Words of Wisdom
The Secret of Christianity
A precious secret of Christian life is to have Jesus dwelling within the heart and conquering things that we never could overcome. It is the only secret of power in your life and mine, beloved.
Men cannot understand it, nor will the world believe it; but it is true, that God will come to dwell within us, and be the power, and the purity, and the victory, and the joy of our life.
It is no longer now, “What is the best that I can do?” but the question is, “What is the best that Christ can do?” It enables us to say, with Paul, in that beautiful passage in Philippians, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound, everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ, which strengthened me.”
With this knowledge I go forth to meet my testing’s, and the secret stands me good. It keeps me pure and sweet, as I could never keep myself. Christ has met the adversary and defeated him for me. Thanks be unto God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ.
He that have an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said unto the churches; “To him that overcomes will I give” to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it. Revelation 2:17
