seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
This is from the commentary.
Who do not believe: Satan can only blind those who do not believe. If you are tired of having your mind blinded by the god of this age, then put your trust in who Jesus is and what He did for you. Then Satan can’t blind you anymore.
“The god of this world is able only to blind the minds of the unbelieving… Refusal to believe is the secret and reason of the blindness that happens to men.” (Morgan)
I feel like Paul "protests too much". He's always defending "his" gospel. He's always defending his reason for preaching. All this defense of "his" gospel makes me question "his" gospel. Is the gospel about the "god of this age"? Did the non-believers talk about Satan? Or does Paul plan on preaching "his" long winded gospel until everyone falls asleep and falls out of third story windows.I wrote, some time ago, about a preacher right in Prince Frederick, who wanted to stop preaching "Christ Crucified" in order to be more inclusive. The preacher said, "People are put off by the gore of the Cross being the 'only' way to Salvation". The preacher wanted to take Christ out of the church!!!!
Now tell me.... is Satan the new god? Are we done worshipping ourselves? Are we so busy proving what great men and women we are that we are veiling ourselves so people won't see satan working inside us?
I'm telling you flat out this morning.... not all the preachers and priest and deacons and prophets and teachers are worshipping Christ. Not everyone who gets up in front of the crowd on Saturday or Sunday morning is a Believer. Some people just liked the way they were treated in church and they stayed.... "Without accepting all that Jesus on the Cross nonsense". Then things just got out of control and they became preachers, priests, deacons, prophets, or teachers. They didn't mean to get so popular.
I think that's what happened to Paul. I know he went blind... but maybe he learned that Christians are called to be kind while he was letting his eyes heal. I think he enjoyed the kindness and then adopted his new persona.... preacher of his gospel.... not HIS gospel, his gospel. Oh, they are only slightly askew but people don't notice. Paul's gospel is so close to Christ's Gospel, people wouldn't notice.
Forget cutting the thingy before joining Paul's church. Thingies are perfect the way they are. You don't have to watch what you eat; kosher is no longer important. You can eat whatever you want, whenever you want and be perfect the way you are.
Remember, though, to bring your wallets full of cash because the preachers and priests have to be paid for their work.
Paul wants a paycheck.... nothing else matters.... after all, satan enjoys polishing shiny objects for humans to fondle.
Pay your preachers right... and they will preach whatever you tell them to... Right?
People buy their vitamins from the preachers on the religion channel every day.... because the preacher said they work. All preachers are honest and never lie... Right?
Preachers don't wear veils and preachers don't lie.... Right?
Wanna join the Paul's church? Just bring your wallet.
