“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 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 4:3-4
Main Thought: Many of us are astounded in this day and time by what we see around us from those who are not Christians to those who are unbelievers. These unbelievers hear the same Gospel that we have heard, but not only reject the message of the Gospel but often speak of it with viciousness and blasphemy. Very often we hear people decry the exclusive claims of Christianity, that Christ is the way, the truth, and the light, as intolerant or bigoted. Others will say that when we call certain types of immorality sinful–especially sexual immorality, like living together without marriage or homosexuality– then we are being unkind or unloving. These rejections of Christ, however, should not be shocking considering what Paul has to say in these verses. Men and women reject Biblical truth because they are spiritually blind, blind because Satan blinds their minds. We must remember that he is the great deceiver and has great spiritual power. Remember that when Jesus was confronting the Pharisees in John 8, he eventually said to them “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires (lusts).” (John 8:44). However, we understand that Satan does not have ultimate spiritual power. Only our Lord has omnipotent power, and millions of times throughout the course of time He has broken the power of blindness held by Satan, opened the eyes of unbelievers, and delivered them from the realm of spiritual darkness into spiritual light (1 Peter 2:9), delivering those of us that know Christ, from a destiny of eternal death into the promise of eternal life. Perhaps today you are burdened for someone you know and love who is under this curse of death and darkness, and perhaps are beginning to think that they are a hopeless case. But remember the one who wrote this, the apostle Paul, who was in great spiritual darkness, persecuting the church. He was stopped one day on the road to Damascus by Christ and his blindness was removed, making him see the beauty and wonder of the One he had persecuted. Certainly, if Jesus did that for him, then we can know that no one is beyond the power of God and redemption. I pray that we do not despair of those lost deeply in sin, but trust in the great saving power of our God.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
“To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill all your good pleasure for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Matthew 16:6
“And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:6
Philemon 1:7
“For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.” – Philemon 1:7
Hebrews 12:5-7
“And you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the LORD, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the LORD loves He disciplines, and He flogs every son whom He receives.’ It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” – Hebrews 12:5-7
Isaiah 28:15-16
“Because you have said, ‘We have cut a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have made a pact. The overflowing scourge will not reach us when it passes by. For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have hidden ourselves with lying. Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh, ‘Behold I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.” – Isaiah 28:15-16
Psalm 84:11-12
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you.” – Psalm 84:11-12
Psalm 84:1
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!” – Psalm 84:1
Hebrews 2:1
“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” – Hebrews 2:1
John 4:13-14
“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him, will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'” – John 4:13-14
Matthew 4:17
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 4:17