2 Corinthians 4 - The temporal vs. the eternal
4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
… since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart
Mercy is not getting what you deserve. We have this ministry even though we don’t deserve it and we don’t lose heart (it would be easy to lose heart if you make a mistake)
Rather we have renounced secret and shameful ways, we don’t use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.
God sees you all the time and everywhere you go. There are no hidden sins from God.
Paul renounces secret and shameful ways – we should too.
We don’t use deception (deception is from the Devil, the father of all lies) We don’t preach a false message to entice people to join.
Nor do we distort the word of God. We don’t change it, tweak it or twist it into meaning something we want or desire. It speaks, we listen, we do it.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
… the god (small g) of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ (Capital C), who is the image of God (capital G).
Notice this, the god of this age (the devil) has blinded the minds of unbelievers. It is the devils work that causes people to be blinded to the gospel. The people cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. The people cannot see…
When you recognize an unbeliever know that their minds have been blinded by the devil and they cannot see. It’s not their fault. It’s the devil at work. So we pray in Jesus name that God will open their eyes that they may see. We pray that God will open their ears that they may hear the word of God. Pray that God lets them see and hear! Ask for God to save them!
For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. Here is how you can tell the real thing from those who deceive.
True believers preach Jesus Christ as Lord and themselves as servants.
False teachers preach other names who get the credit. They usually don’t say they are servants either. They claim some special knowledge or special power that they have. They exalt themselves. They create their brand and get their following going.
Let us never preach anything except Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose again on the 3rd day so that whomsoever would believe shall be saved.
Let us make sure that Jesus Christ is the name people remember (not ours or anyone elses).
For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
The face of Jesus Christ is the light of the world. He is our focus. It is HIStory!
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