Blinded By The Darkness

"But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age [Satan] has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

There is a moment in each Christian's life when they were blind but now they see. We were lost but now we have been found. Like Paul on the road to Damascus. On his way to do what he knew was right - persecuting people who followed the "Way" as in the way the truth and the life - Jesus. But then he met Jesus. His eyes were opened by faith. There are billions of people who are just like Paul - just like we were. Convinced that they are in the right.

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ..... But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." - 1 Corinthians 1:18, 2:14

Why? Because they are spiritually depraved and deprived - their hearts blinded by the god of this age or world - Satan. We should not expect the blind to see because we have somehow persuaded them with our words. Certainly God uses us through word and deed to shine the light of the Gospel in the world, but the point conversion is a very personal - between that person and God - event. Like Paul and like you and me. It is a spiritual phenomenon - inexplicable in human terms - but real nonetheless. An event to which you and I are living testimonies. 

So to my point - finally! Don't be surprised by what you see and how the world reacts to the Body of Christ. Darkness, by its nature wants no part of the Light.

"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me [Jesus] before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." - John 15:18-20

I write this to encourage you. To cause you to think about your life and the world you live in. To understand your role in the great story of creation and context of our place in a foreign land. We are ambassadors - just passing through - citizens of Heaven. This world is not our home - we are just passing through. So don't get too comfortable.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone