The Hidden Gospel
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 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.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
We, as Christians, sometimes do not seem to understand why a person may not want to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, may even despise or viscously reject it, or simply file it into a category of legend and fairy tales, but we should not allow the rejection to enrage us to ungodly behavior of instant hate and equally vial speech towards them. A rejection of the call to the gospel is a rejection of Christ, not us; for we cannot give salvation or take away sin of anyone. All we can do is proclaim the gospel message as prescribe by Scripture.
We must take into account the above Scripture, that “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not”. Why would Satan want to blind them? “Lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
We must pray that the Holy Spirit will convict them of sin and their need of Christ, for our preaching alone is not enough to save anyone, for it is written, “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
Scripture declares, God has said, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live”, so neither should we take joy in such, but should gladly proclaim the gospel.
Pray for the unbeliever that the Spirit will move them to repentance, and live your life as a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that others may see Him in you. Don’t help Satan hide the gospel.
6 comments:
Mark 16
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Not hidden. Do it.
mb,
1. Christ "appeared unto the eleven" and spoke those words and "confirming the word with signs following."
Why?
"the Jews require a sign" -- an their inital ministry was to the Jews.
What about the Gentiles?
"the Greeks seek after wisdom" -- men still seek wisdom outside of Scripture trying to find any reason but God.
1 Corinthians 1:21-25
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Luke 10:21
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Signs did not convert all those which saw such, nor would miracles persuades those which deny God today; lest the Spirit of God open their eyes to it.
But we are to believe by faith, for it is written: Matthew 16:4
A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Yeah. That had absolutely nothing to do with my comment.
If you really believe in god: hug a timber rattler and drink poison. The gospel says you'll be fine. Once you're done, go to a hospital and heal people with cancer by touching them.
If you refuse to do these things, ask yourself "why?"
The gospel is very clear. It doesn't say anything about god doing it, so you won't be testing god. Only your belief. The bible is very clear. It is INSTRUCTING YOU TO DO THOSE THINGS. It does not say "if you accidentally get bitten by a snake, god will help". It says "go take up a snake and drink poison". DO IT OR TELL US WHY YOU WON'T.
mb,
Your quote says, “And these signs shall follow them that believe”. For one, as I noted earlier, indeed this was for signs for the Jews, for they require a sign. If you note the life of Paul, you will see where he is no longer healing people.
Also to note is the fact that this does not mean all Christians will have all of the gifts noted in Scripture, for Paul clearly notes in his speaking of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 that “there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” Also noting that sign gifts will/have ceased, 1 Corinthians 13.
Scripture also declares for us “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”, so picking up a serpent to have us bite us would not be wise or obedient.
Yep you weaseled out of it. Ask yourself why the bible clearly states DIRECTLY TO YOU that "THEM THAT BELIEVE" can do those things. Then ask yourself why you are weaseling out of that.
Oh that's not directed at me.
Oh don't test god.
The scripture says the only criterion is that you believe. You are only testing yourself. It doesn't say anything about needing god to intervene. It says THEM THAT BELIEVE... THEY SHALL TAKE UP SERPENTS; AND IF THEY DRINK ANY DEADLY THING IT SHALL NOT HURT THEM.
No praying, no asking god, no testing. Do it or confirm that you do not believe. Confirm that you don't trust the scripture. Confirm that you are deciding which parts to listen to and which to ignore.
This is your book. Your handbook on how to live your life. It is telling you if you believe, you can do those things. WHY DO YOU NOT BELIEVE THE BOOK??
mb,
I am sorry you do not understand, but as long as you are in clear rebellion against God, reject Scripture and Christ as your Savior, and do not have the Spirit dwelling in you, you will continue to misunderstand Christianity.
Typing in all caps and demanding that you know what Scripture means and that I must answer to your liking or agree with you that I am wrong and you are right is simple a rejection of Truth on your part.
Scripture stands, "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." [1 Corinthians 2:14]
Put your trust in Christ and you may come to better understand Scripture, instead of trying to use Scripture to debunk the Truth in Christianity.
Post a Comment