Tag: Devotion

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Cor. 4:3-4 KJV)

The Apostle Paul and his co-workers have not failed to declare the glorious gospel. It is his prayer that the light of the glorious gospel, as a bright noonday sun that shone on that blessed day in his life on the way to Damascus, that restored the image of God in him, may so shine to others. Given to understand the truth, gloriously saved en route to heaven, he felt the burden that others may also be saved.

The Apostle Paul reasoned with the believers in Corinth that he persevered in the ministry because God put him there by His mercy. He was saved from blindness and given a new lease of life for service. He repaid his gospel debt through faithful service. There is an effervescing strength that God grants to his servants that they will not give up but press on in devotion and service.

2 Corinthians 4:1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, 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. (2 Cor. 4:1-2 KJV)

The Apostle Paul praised the sustaining grace of God in the work of the ministry. He attributed it to the mercy of God. He deserved God’s condemnation and yet God did not count his sins to his account. He was mercifully forgiven. He recalled how he was a blasphemer. He was struck blind and could have remained blind. God sent Ananias to restore his sight. And given him eternal life, divine grace and power for service. Since then, he experienced the forgiveness of sins and the presence of God to bless and keep him. He was able to testify how he and his co-workers faint not because they have committed their lives to God’s care.

This is our privilege as God’s children, we faint not because God is our ready helper. The psalmist testified of his confidence in Psalm 16. He did not wander off from God’s commandments but was obedient to the truth.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

When God brought Israel out of Egypt, He instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle. It was to be the visible physical presence of God with His people. In the Holy of Holies, was the ark of the covenant. It was to be the throne of God where He would meet with His people. When Israel entered the Promised Land, they would be instructed through Solomon to build the Temple of God. The nation of Israel is God’s chosen people and this nation is to point the nations of the world to the reality of salvation is her Christ. In the fullness of time, the Saviour named Jesus, Who is the Christ entered human history through a virgin birth in the womb of Mary, the humble handmaid of Nazareth. Jesus is the fulfilment of the Tabernacle and the Temple reality of God’s presence. Jesus will be the sacrifice for sins upon the cross so that sinful man may draw nigh to a Thrice Holy God.

2 Corinthians 3:17 17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Cor. 3:17 KJV)

In Romans 8:1-2, the Apostle Paul explained well our text, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:1-2 KJV) The child of God who is led by the Holy Spirit through the meditation of God’s Word is given the wisdom to choose God’s blessed path. Do you pray when you are meditating upon God’s Word to ask for illumination so that you may understand His Word? This is how we can get into the mind of God when we are shown the blessed will of God through His Spirit, we will choose to obey.

2 Corinthians 3:12-16 12Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. (2 Cor. 3:12-16 KJV)

The Apostle Paul quotes Exodus 34:34 to give the analogy of one who turns the Jesus will find salvation – 34But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. (Exod. 34:34 KJV)

2 Corinthians 3:12-15 12Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. (2 Cor. 3:12-15 KJV)

There is a gating point of understanding in the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament for the Jews just as the greatest gift of Christmas is the gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. The merry spirit of Christmas seemed to have sorely missed the true meaning of Christmas as men and women took time to exchange gift to show their affection for one another.

2 Corinthians 3:12-14 12Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. (2 Cor. 3:12-14 KJV)

It is sad that there is a blindness to the glory of the truth of salvation in Jesus Christ among the Jews. The Lord brought me to visit a lady of Jewish descent close to 90 years of age. She became a citizen of Singapore recently. She shared with me that she was taught by her parents from young that Jesus is not God. He is a good man but He is not the Son of God. Although this lady married a Christian husband and attended church, she seemed to reject the witness of the New Testament Scripture that Jesus is God.

2 Corinthians 3:8-12 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 12Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: (2 Cor. 3:8-12 KJV)

How can the gospel be plainly explained so that men may understand the things pertaining to the kingdom of God? How can the natural man know spiritual things? The Apostle Paul tells us that God has by His wisdom showed us the plain way by which man can find God. It was through the creation of the nation of Israel. It is God’s earthly example given that we may understand spiritual things, the heavenly and eternal realm.

2 Corinthians 3:8-11 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. (2 Cor. 3:8-11 KJV)

What is the benefit of life with God? It is the beginning of true life. For by nature man is spiritually dead, not just weak or sick. He is by nature outside God’s kingdom. Therefore, he is not a partaker of glorious benefits of being citizens of God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom is a spiritual kingdom and requires one with a spiritual nature to be a part of God’s kingdom. The Bible tells us the words of Jesus in John 3:3 … Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.