FOR THE LOVE OF GOD

Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 3:18

The Change Produced By This Spiritual Discernment – Continued

Ever so sadly, those still living and walking in darkness will go on, forever in the treadmill of vain opposition to God. “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

But God may be pleased to shine upon some of them that light which now they spurn. He will use for that purpose the light of the gospel as spread about by those who are changed from glory unto glory into the image of Christ.

My brothers and sisters, men and women all around you are still in the darkness of Plato’s cave. They grope blindly about them for light. But when you let the light, the light of the glorious gospel of Christ shine upon them they turn from you. They just can’t seem to bear that light. Will you then depend upon your eloquence, upon your attractive personality to make them see? Will you put a veil upon your face in order to adapt your message to the spiritual blindness of those to whom you minister? Or, like Paul, will you dare to speak plainly to those who are without, to those who are of a contrary belief?

Eloquence and pitifulness will not in themselves soften the heart of a scoffer or blasphemer, but neither will argument and debate in themselves cause a modern-day Plato to see. Men often seek to be wiser than God. Sincere ministers wish to have men see the full light of the gospel. But there are many who have methods of their own with which to try and accomplish the task. Often they will first bring men a part of the gospel and then another part oftentimes out of context. They hope to make the gospel attractive by sugar-coating it just a little. To those who are on the outside they will offer the gospel as an attractive hypothesis for men to consider. To those who are within they often tone down, or even avoid, the full demands of Christ.

Paul was beyond this stage when he first preached in Corinth. If you are still in doubt whether you will always and everywhere preach the full counsel of God you haven’t yet studied Paul’s complete motives. The Apostle Paul knew he could and that he would do nothing but speak plainly the whole counsel of God. That was absolutely settled with him. But now, as seen in his letters, he rejoices, looking back, at the results of that determination. He had at the beginning presumably been fearful. He had trembled when he first preached to the Corinthians. He had been tempted to let down on both the manner and the content of his preaching. But he had not let down. He had trusted in the God who had called him on that Damascus road. Now God has blessed his efforts. Dramatically changed from one who blasphemed to one who gloried in the Lord, Paul had seen others changed likewise. He had honored God; therefore, God had honored him. He had spoken plainly; therefore, men did see and they saw clearly and continually.

Let us all speak the gospel plainly in our day so that those around us may have the same opportunity to see and to see with an unveiled, or uncovered face.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 3:18

The Change Produced By This Spiritual Discernment – Continued

From last lesson: The servants of the Lord are no longer afraid of affliction and/or evil. They recognize their legacy as heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ Jesus. They don’t even need to fear death for the last enemy conquered by Christ Jesus is death!

• For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
• We are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him (Romans 8:16-17).
• “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:55-58).

All this, the Apostle adds, is just as you would expect from the Lord, and His Spirit. That glorified Lord who has earned for His people, who has given to His people the promise of the Spirit as He went to His home in glory to prepare a place for His own. His work is now identified with the work of the Spirit. Thus, the Lord whom they seek is also the Spirit who works within them. He takes the things of Christ and gives them unto us.

Is it any wonder that the Apostle rejoices in this change of those who look at the glorified Christ? As in the case of the Galatians, it is also in the case of the Corinthians, Paul might well say: “My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” (Galatians 4:19). He knows that Christ is being formed in them, little by little, but the work is being done.

Again it’s true that this is first of all an object of faith. We walk by faith and not by sight. Yet the change is real. Those who believe can see it in themselves. The change may seem to be slow. This however doesn’t need to be a discouragement. Neither did it discourage Paul. He has fed them with milk but he will also feed them with meat. He will boldly seek to elicit that which they have in Christ. He knows his appeals to them will not be in vain. When he appeals for the unity of the Spirit they will realize their heritage and lay aside their factions. When they doubt the fact of the resurrection they will cast aside their doubts and will respond with joyful faith. They all see, they all see with open face constantly and clearly. Paul’s great plainness of speech will bear abundant fruit; both then and now.

If they have looked at the glory of the Lord they may even reflect that same glory among men. They will let their light so shine before men that others seeing their good works will glorify the Father which is in heaven. Those others are still in the darkness of Plato’s cave. Their heads are chained in darkness. They behold no glory; therefore they make no progress. As they look at the shadows they take them for realities; hence they also deceive themselves into thinking they are moving forward.

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.