1/19/03 E-2 INI 2 Cor. 4:3-6

Dear Fellow Redeemed by the blood of Jesus,

We know that "His" star led those curious, Gentile astronomers over many dangerous miles to their Savior. Do you think they followed "His" star because they were curious men of science? No. They followed the light in the sky because God had already shined in their hearts through the Word of Balaam's prophecy in the Book of Numbers (Num. 24:17)

Light is wonderful, whether from the sun, combustion or electricity. Light can be refracted and separated into the colors of the rainbow. Laxer-light has brought tremendous opportunities to the fields of medicine and technology. Without light we couldn't make our way in the world; we could not live. It's hard to imagine a world without light!

Yet so it was in the beginning. "The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep" until God said, "Let there be light;" and then "there was light." (Gen. 1:1-3) The essence of light -- light itself -- was called into existence by the word of the Creator God. The sun, moon, and stars were not created until three days later. They are not light itself, but only "reflectors" of the light God created on the first day. If scientists had a million years to study physical light, it would remain a mystery to them, because God is the source of light -- He called it into being by the power of His almighty word.

So also, God alone is the source of that mysterious spiritual light that moved the wise men to follow the Bethlehem star. The Bible tells us that when the promised Christ came into this world, "darkness covered the earth, and great darkness covered the people." (Is. 60:2) Sure, there were plenty of religious people in the world. There was no end of man-made laws and sacrifices by which people tried to gain acceptance with God. But maknind was lost, deep in the darkness of sin, without the knowledge of the glory of the true God. They worshiped man-made images and gave glory to man and other creatures rather than to the Creator. (Rom. 1:18 ff.) But "God is light" (1 John 1:5, John 1:4). God dwells "in the light which no man has seen nor can see." (I Tim. 6:16) God is the very essence of spiritual light. Without the light that He alone gives, all people are doomed to the everlasting darkness of spiritual and eternal death!

But there is an epiphany, a "revelation" of that light in which God dwells. God has revealed the glory of His saving light through His Son. Jesus is "the light of the world." (Jn 1:1-4) Jesus is the "image of God." He told His disciples: "He who has seen Me has seen the Father." (Jn. 14:9, 12:45, Heb. 1:3)

Follow Christ's life -- His humility, astounding miracles, hints of His divine glory, His forgiving mercy in dealing with repentant sinners, His Shepherd-love in seeking the lost sheep and finally laying down His life for them. Without question, In the face of Jesus Christ" we see the glory of our Savior God revealed or "epiphanied" to poor sinners!

Paul says that "God has shined in our hearts" to give us "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face (or person) of Jesus Christ." The "light" is the knowledge of God's glory in Christ. This knowledge is not gained by mere information. The Greek word for knowledge here is GNOSIS, which is a knowledge gained by experience. It's a personal experience and tasting of God's glory in Christ.

Do you have evidence that God has shined in your own heart? Sure you do, if what you've heard about Christ has passed from your mind to your heart so that you experience and taste Him as your Savior. If, when we have sinned, we find peace of conscience through the forgiveness proclaimed in His gospel, then the light of God's glory is shining in our own hearts. If we rejoice whenever Jesus finds a lost soul or a fellow sinner repents of his sins and returns to His Savior, God has shined in our own hearts as well. When there seems to be no hope, do you find yourself still hoping in God's love for you in Christ? Then your God has shined in your own heart through the power of His light-giving gospel.

This Gospel concerning Jesus Christ is "the power of God unto salvation"  (Rom. 1:16) The same almighty power that brought light upon the darkness at creation, is at work in the Gospel of Christ. Why then doesn't everyone see the gospel's light? Everyone sees the physical light God created. But the glorious light of the gospel of Christ is "veiled," or "Hidden" to "those who are perishing," as Paul says in v. 3. Why is the gospel hidden to those who are perishing?

Some want to find fault with the gospel-light itself, as if it shines like a flashlight -- sometimes brightly, sometimes dimly. But the Gospel shines with the same brilliance upon everyone, no matter who they are.

Neither is the spiritual darkness less dense in "our" hearts than in the heart of the unbeliever. If we are believers in Christ it's entirely because of God's alone, not because of anything in us

Why then is the glorious light of the gospel hidden to millions who are perishing? Paul tells us in v. 4: "The god of this age (or this world) has blinded those who do not believe." The "god of this world," is Satan. He obtained this position when the world through Adam and Eve fell into sin. Many think they are too smart to believe the simple truths of the gospel of Christ. But the truth is that Satan has so deceived them that they are spiritually "blinded" by him "lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the very image of God should shine on them."

Now, since Satan is blinding millions of perishing souls, should we be discouraged in sharing the light of our gospel? No! Because we are not seeking personal advantage when we share the gospel's light with others. It isn't our work that we are doing; it's GOD'S WORK. As Paul says in v. 5: "We do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake."

"As we have received mercy, we do not lose heart," Paul writes in v. 1. Why don't I handle the word of God "deceitfully" among you -- adulterating it -- so that I may please more people in this world? Because Jesus wants His light-bearers to light up "every man's conscience in the sight of God" by speaking "the truth" of salvation and nothing less. Why do I regard myself as your servant? Not only because you have called me to serve you with The Truth of Christ, but "for Jesus' sake" -- because of Jesus.

Paul believed he owed it to Jesus because of what Jesus did for him. Because Jesus died for my sins and sent His Spirit through the gospel to shine in my own heart, that I might know, experience, and possess eternal life through faith in Him, I rejoice to share His Gospel with all people.

And you, dear brothers and sisters -- because of Jesus-- you have this same encouragement. The fact that your God has shined in your hearts with the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ should be a powerful motive and encouragement to share that glorious light with others by word and deed.

Many years ago, the keeper of the lighthouse at Calais, on the northern coast of France, was asked by a visitor: "What if one of the lights would happen to go out?"

"Never!" He cried, horrified at the thought! "Sir," he said, pointing to the ocean, "Out there, where nothing can be seen, there are ships going by to all parts of the world. If one of my lights should go out tonight, within six months a letter would come from some place in the world, saying that in such a night, at a certain hour, the light of Calais burned dim, the lighthouse keeper neglected his post, and ships were in danger."

"Yes sir! Sometimes in the dark nights, in stormy weather, I look out to sea and feel as if the eyes of the whole world were looking at my light. Go out? Burn dim? NEVER!"

Our God has shined in our hearts! May we all receive grace and mercy so that His gospel-light may always shine forth from us into this world . . . because of Jesus. Amen.