“…We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 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 unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with yourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:2-6).
Paul is contrasting himself with image-oriented charlatans who had been teaching in Corinth and were more concerned with impressing than with saving people. His goal is simply to state the good news plainly to everyone. Why don’t more people believe? Because the gospel is veiled to them…not by Paul, but by Satan. The evil one has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they simply cannot perceive the light that comes from the gospel. It seems like garbage, not good news to them. This is where we all start; we may have a “free will”, but it is utterly deluded and deceived. Only when God removes the veil are we truly free, and anyone who can see the beauty of God’s purposes in Jesus Christ will choose Him every time!
So how is the veil removed? It is no less than an act of New Creation. The same God who in the beginning said, “Let there be light!” must do the same in your heart. If you have the light of the knowledge of Jesus Christ in your heart, this miracle has happened in you.
How do we respond to this reality?
-Give thanks, realizing anew that salvation is an utter gift, not by works, even the work of figuring it out for ourselves. Sola gratia, soli deo gloria!
-Keep proclaiming broadly, knowing “how are they to believe of him of whom they have never heard?” (Romans 10:14). Like Paul, “by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”
-Pray for unbelievers in your life, that “God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’” would shine in their hearts “to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”