But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 2 Corinthians 4:3
I would have to say this verse has caused me a bit of apprehension. Because each time I read it I am reminded of one of the verses to the song, This Little Light of Mine:
Hide it under a bushel? NO!
I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!
I do not desire to be THAT Christian that would hide the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. I shouted this song as a child in Sunday School. And my heart shouts it even now. Hide it under a bushel? NO!! I’m gonna let it shine.
In today’s Loser Bible Study passage the Apostle Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 4:2 that he had renounced the hidden things. Things that would have hidden the light of the gospel like dishonesty, craftiness (trickery) and deceitfulness. Yet still, the gospel had been hidden. No doubt the Apostle Paul and those who served with him had been careful and prayerful in their presentation of the gospel. They were not hiding their light under a bushel. They had even avoided greedy salesmanship-type techniques. But even with their best efforts in preaching and teaching the good news, the saving power of the gospel was hidden to some.
And why is that?
In 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 Corinthians 4:4
Their minds had been blinded by the god of this world.
Their hearts were full of unbelief.
We struggle with these same issues today as we witness for Christ. So if the minds of the lost are blinded and if they will not believe, why should we continue sharing the good news of the gospel? Should we give up on teaching and preaching? Hide our light under a bushel?
I would have to say a resounding No! Their unbelief and their blindness are all the more reason to keep on shining!
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14
The book of Acts records an interesting conversation between the Apostle Paul and King Agrippa. Paul tells the king that God had sent him.
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:18
We have been sent as well. Therefore, we must continue to do what we were sent for.
Through the resurrecting power of the gospel I can obey the command to go and tell. I can live out my Christian faith. But what might I be missing because of unbelief in my own heart?
It may seem I have more questions than answers when it comes to this particular passage. But, what I have learned is that unbelief causes unbelievable loss. This is especially true for those who are lost without Christ, but also true for the wavering child of God. (James 1:6-7)
Yet our faith can be developed.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
The mission and ministry of getting the gospel to a lost and dying world may cause us to feel faint at times. Our light may dim. For these times we have the Word of God to strengthen our faith and we have the mercy of God to help us keep on shining. (2 Corinthians 4:1)
Our faith can grow. Our light can glow.
Loser Bible Study Series Theme Verse:
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. Mark 8:35
Lose from the Greek word “Apollymi” means to destroy fully. It is translated lost in 2 Corinthians 4:3, our verse for today.
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