2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Alright, we are ready to dig into chapter 4! Are you all ready?
So, for this one you will want to study in the same way that we have been. But to review it all, I am going to do things a bit differently. I feel like you probably have the process down now and do not need me to go through each and every step for you. I will be adding my pages in so that you can check those out.
The Treasure of the Light of the Knowledge of God
As any in reading through chapter four, I knew we were in for a treat. Kind where it is so beautiful and each time I began crying and all although he’s given us just with his word.
I know you probably get sick of hearing me say this, but as the study remember to keep the context of the inch higher goal as well as that of chapter three in mind.
We ended chapter three talking about the freedom that is found in the spirit and the new covenant. And how Jesus Wesson the table, the spirit changes are as he and more and more we are able to shine the light of god’s Glory.
Now we had the next line in the latter tracker flour and salt tells us the IDs this gift and we should speak boldly. Lose hard to hear a zone from a Greek word meaning quote fainthearted and coward include which is shows that not only a lack of courage, but also bad behavior and evil conduct. So, he is saying that within his ministry there will be no losing heart, that he will handle alerted when a glide with his humility, truth, and integrity so that no one will wander out as if God were standing beside him.
They are as an important saint Paul’s calling, he knows this.
“When Paul considered the greatness of his calling, it gave him the heart to face these difficulties…”
Do we carry ourselves this way? Do you realize the greatness of your calling? Or are you busy comparing the two were calling two someone else’s?
Don’t lose heart, stand firm right where God has you! Maybe that is the knee high in dirty laundry, diapers, and toilets. What a beautiful Mission Field you are in! Enjoy it! I promise it will be over way too soon. No matter where you are, it is you’re calling, your Mission Field. Find how you can serve God and others there.
Battleground for Light in Darkness
There is a battleground for the souls of each person on this earth. There are many who were lost, perishing, with a veil of minds.
Man, Satan is the master of distraction rights? What does a burst of four tell us about Satan?
- Satan is the god of this world
- He blinds the minds of unbelievers
- He doesn’t work in hearts or emotions, but in the mind
Now Satan is not really in any kind of control. Just like with the story of Job, Satan is on a leash and God had the mighty hold. He can only do what God allows.
But we do see here that he is allowed to work and, in a sense, “rule” here on earth for now.
“Can’t we see a strategy of Satan in working hard to make people think less and learn less and use their mind less? This is why God has chosen the word to transmit the gospel, because (it) touches our mind and can touch minds the ‘god of this world has blinded.”
Now, let’s not pretend that these are innocent victims here.
John 3:19 tell us…
“…and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.”
How many do you know that are lost and living in sin (habitual sin) that they do not want to give up? They reject God because they love their sin. And then Satan works hard to keep them blinded. What does he keep them blinded from?
*The light of the gospel
*The glory of Christ
*The image of Christ as God
The word “light” here, Hodge says is only used in 2 other places, Psalm 44:3 and Psalm 78:14, and “the word here signifies the brightness emitted by a radiant body.” How beautiful! The light, this brightness emitted by a radiant body from the gospel is Jesus!
Paul goes on to say that the devil blinds the unbelievers against this gospel because it is not a human gospel, it is the gospel of Jesus the Mesiah. Satan knows the “danger” of this gospel.
Why doesn’t Satan blind the unbelievers to the Prosperity gospel or Bethel or Kenneth Copeland? Because those are human gospels that do not really lead to Jesus and the cross. No, he is standing against those preaching Christ as Messiah, crucified and raised on the third day!
This is truly wonderful knowledge to have. Why? Because this changes how we pray for those who are lost!
“We should ask God to shine His light, to bind the blinding work of Satan, and to give faith to overcome the unbelief that invites the blinding.” Guzik
Paul here talks about something that he fully understands. Think of how blind he was before the light overtook him on the road to Damascus! Enough to persecute Christians!
God showed Paul this amazing imagery as He blinded him and once, he heard the gospel scales fell from his eyes, and he could see. The veil was lifted.
The reference for “Light shall shine out of Darkness” is a reference from the creation account. It is really cool that he uses this.
First it shows that Paul full believed in the Old Testament Scripture and the Creation account. And he at the same time the God who made light appear in the darkness with just His words is the same God who has shone the light of the knowledge of the glory of God into our darkened hearts by showing us the “light of the gospel.”
“This should be a good way to describe every Christian: people with shining hearts. God shone in our hearts, and it should show in shining lives for Jesus Christ.”
“He ‘shined it in’ so that we could ‘shine it out’ instead of ‘shining it on’ as some Christians do.”
Application
So, what have we learned here that we can apply to our lives”
- We need to preach to ourselves sometimes the wonder and beauty of the gospel and remember the gift and live out the gospel boldly.
- We need to understand our ministry, our calling and work in that calling boldly, honestly, and with integrity. This knowledge of the greatness of being allowed to be a part of God’s plans should strengthen our hearts to handle any difficulties.
- We need to pry for the lost in a way that thwarts Satan’s plans to blind the unbelieving.
- We should also be a light and an encouragement to those around us to utilize our minds, to grow in wisdom, to ask questions, to read and study, not just mindlessly take others’ word for something. Less feelings and more truth.
- And we need to be Christians who are living in the Light and who shine brights with the glory of the Lord.
What are your thoughts? What was God speaking to your heart as you studied this section? I would love for you to comment below and share with me!
Blessings,
Amy
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In the Facebook Group we do Scripture Writing a bit differently. We take the time to write out entire books of the Bible over a couple of months. This is a really great way to dig into your Bible with great context and understanding. It has really changed things for some of the ladies in the group. You can find the FREE printable for the month on the FREEBIES page. And you can join the group here. I would love to see your journaling and Scripture Writing! See you there!
