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- Apr 25, 2006
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26 June 2008
Word on the Web
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
God, with his mercy, gave us this work to do, so we don't give up. But we have turned away from secret and shameful ways. We use no trickery, and we do not change the teaching of God. We teach the truth plainly, showing everyone who we are. Then they can know in their hearts what kind of people we are in God's sight. If the Good News that we preach is hidden, it is hidden only to those who are lost. The devil who rules this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News - the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is exactly like God. We do not preach about ourselves, but we preach that Jesus Christ is Lord and that we are your servants for Jesus. God once said, "Let the light shine out of the darkness!" This is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts by letting us know the glory of God that is in the face of Christ.
Paul says "we have turned away from secret and shameful ways" and "we are your servants for Jesus". Have you? Are you? Do you live differently now you're a Christian? Are you "the light of the world"? Jesus said, "Don't hide your light under a bowl. Instead...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Do you sometimes feel you're the only Christian where you are? Do you struggle to make a difference because no-one around you is bothered with right and wrong? Keep trying - have you never noticed that the darker it gets, the brighter a single candle appears?
God said "Let light shine out of darkness" at the creation (Genesis 1:2-4), and John tells people that this light is Christ (John 3:19-21), though Paul points out "they cannot see the light." Commentator Charles Hodge goes as far as to say "The rejection of the Gospel is as clear a proof of moral depravity as inability to see the light of the sun at noon is a proof of blindness". Ouch! C.S. Lewis says there are only two types of people at the end - those who say to God, "Thy will be done", and those to whom God says, "thy will be done". Your choice...
Dear Lord, Help me not to hide my light as a Christian disciple under a bowl, but to let my light shine before everyone, so they may see my good deeds and praise you, our Father in heaven. May I always strive to do your will and not mine. Amen.
Written by Kate Hatton
Word on the Web
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
God, with his mercy, gave us this work to do, so we don't give up. But we have turned away from secret and shameful ways. We use no trickery, and we do not change the teaching of God. We teach the truth plainly, showing everyone who we are. Then they can know in their hearts what kind of people we are in God's sight. If the Good News that we preach is hidden, it is hidden only to those who are lost. The devil who rules this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News - the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is exactly like God. We do not preach about ourselves, but we preach that Jesus Christ is Lord and that we are your servants for Jesus. God once said, "Let the light shine out of the darkness!" This is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts by letting us know the glory of God that is in the face of Christ.
Paul says "we have turned away from secret and shameful ways" and "we are your servants for Jesus". Have you? Are you? Do you live differently now you're a Christian? Are you "the light of the world"? Jesus said, "Don't hide your light under a bowl. Instead...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Do you sometimes feel you're the only Christian where you are? Do you struggle to make a difference because no-one around you is bothered with right and wrong? Keep trying - have you never noticed that the darker it gets, the brighter a single candle appears?
God said "Let light shine out of darkness" at the creation (Genesis 1:2-4), and John tells people that this light is Christ (John 3:19-21), though Paul points out "they cannot see the light." Commentator Charles Hodge goes as far as to say "The rejection of the Gospel is as clear a proof of moral depravity as inability to see the light of the sun at noon is a proof of blindness". Ouch! C.S. Lewis says there are only two types of people at the end - those who say to God, "Thy will be done", and those to whom God says, "thy will be done". Your choice...
Dear Lord, Help me not to hide my light as a Christian disciple under a bowl, but to let my light shine before everyone, so they may see my good deeds and praise you, our Father in heaven. May I always strive to do your will and not mine. Amen.
Written by Kate Hatton
