Lesson 2894

(Lesson 2894)(12-01-19) 2 Corinthians Chapter 4
    Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 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. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 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. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

   In today’s lesson, Paul related that his effort, as well as the effort of all those who preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, is toward the enlightenment of all who are without Jesus, offering a means to everlasting life while making no allowance for their own needs but rather trusting in God to deliver them.
   There was another important point that was made in the first part of today’s quote. That is that Satan, NOT GOD, rules the earth until such time as Jesus returns to defeat him and have him cast into an eternal hell. Paul made that evident when he said, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom THE GOD OF THIS WORLD (Satan) 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.”
    I want to stress that point because the great majority of today’s so-called Christians contend that everything that happens on this earth is by God’s design when nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, God gave each of us our own free will to do our OWN bidding. Whether or not we allow Satan to rule our lives is left up to each of us. “Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto Him, All these things will I give thee, if thoud wilt fall dawn ans worshim me.” (Matthew 4:8-9) Satan couldn’t have promised Jesus something he didn’t control.~