Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 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, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Corinthians 4:1-4
Been thinking about what we’ve been exposed to more and more of late. For us to be Bible believing Christians, we then must fight the current of this world’s changing viewpoint of morality, political agenda, and it’s covetous greed of corporate America, as simply being the norm and the Church’s viewpoint of Christianity, as being narrow minded and intolerant. We must take a firm stand in Biblical truth, if we are to make any impact of witnessing for Christ in these last days. This spiritual battle is fought on a plane of invisible concept of demonic activity against Jesus Christ, and His body, the Church. Let’s see what the Holy Spirit is revealing to us. Since we have this ministry—The ministry of the New Covenant gospel of Jesus Christ is what Paul was referring to. This is what his life was now adhered to, and it is what every Christian is to adhere to. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Literally “breathed out by God,” or “God breathed.” Sometimes God told the Bible writers the exact words to say, Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth (Jeremiah 1:9), but more often He used to their minds, vocabularies, and experiences as the Holy Spirit enabled them to produce His own perfect infallible, inerrant Word.
We do not lose heart—This give us a picture of “abandoning one’s self to cowardice, or cowardly surrender.” This was not how Paul responded to the continual attacks, and opposition he faced. Neither should it be our response as well. The task of ministering the gospel message of Jesus Christ is too noble of a cause to lose heart over. Since it is God who called Paul, and who calls us, it will be His fight and with His weapons are we to use in this fight, which Paul wrote, are not carnal, nor devoid of any power. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Although a mere man, Paul did not fight the spiritual battle for men’s souls using human ingenuity, worldly wisdom, or clever methods. Neither of these has any power against demonic forces who keep humans in a spiritual bondage. It is only by the power and blood of Jesus Christ, that we have been set free from the bondage of sin. So Paul in a sense is saying, “that he trusted in God to strengthen him.”
We have renounced the hidden things of shame—It is what every believer does when we repent. We turn away from sinful lifestyles, we renounce that we no longer want to be a part of something in this life that has grieved the heart of God. The term “hidden things of shame” actually refers to secret immoralities, hypocrisies, hidden in men’s hearts. We as a people have become very good at hiding our ugly sinful habits. In fact, have you noticed this about yourself, we are far more intolerant about others who struggle with their sinful practices, than we are with our own selves? What is meant to become a part of what God says He has made new in our lives, is that after repentance, the believer is now to turn away from their old way of life, and pursue, devote their lives after godliness. We often though, leave a “backdoor open” when we don’t recognize the spiritual deception that Satan wants us to believe in his lies and half truths. These deceptions often are very subtle and want us to believe that they aren’t harmful to us. Neither of which is true. We cannot have any form of compromise in our hearts and walk in obedience to Christ.
If our gospel is veiled—Like in Paul’s day, the false teachers bring out a new way to believe in the Lord, and try and explain their version of no longer needing the old and true way of Biblical doctrine, Old Testament law, New Testament age of grace etc. They accuse the followers of Christ, as being intolerant of a more modern way of learning about Christ. A universalism that describes everyone will be saved. What deception! All that stops heresy from spreading is for the hearers to know sound doctrine. To be taught sound Biblical doctrine is the best method against false teachings about Jesus Christ.
the god of this age has blinded—This age is the current world mind-set expressed by ideals, opinions, political and social agendas that turn away from Biblical truth, and the majority of worldly people. It encompasses the world’s philosophies, education, and commerce. Satan blinds men from God’s truths through the world system he has created and is ruler of. Without a godly influence, man left to himself will follow that system, which panders to that system’s moral depravity and deepens their moral darkness. When Jesus was explaining the parable of the sower to His disciples He tells them and us how this spiritual warfare happens: Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the Word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who receives the word by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endues only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 13:18-23) As there were 3 soils with no fruit, thus indicating no salvation, there is also 3 kinds of good soil which bears fruit, some to the larger degree than others.
Beloved friend, Does this mean that only one in four people are being saved who hear the gospel? Probably not. But what it does say is, even if it is a sort of indictment to the church, is that those who do not understand the gospel message are being deceived. Those who do not believe in the Virgin birth of Jesus Christ, or in the atonement of believers or some other not to be compromised message of sound Biblical doctrine. False teachers have already crept in the church! It is to our distinct advantage to be alert to our surroundings, to be rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfast in prayer (Romans 12:12). Why? Because of Christ’s return and our ultimate redemption. And if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are blinded by their pride and foolish unbelief. There is no reason for any of us to be afraid, just remain steadfast in the Word, praying for discernment that God’s Word be made alive in you. Our soon coming King will reward you in every activity that your faith in Him is being revealed, whether in word or in your life lived for Him. Praise the Lord!
May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!
