As we look across Scotland and see the decline in the churches, what do we think?
Frustrated, disappointed, ready to give it all up? Are we tempted to think there is something wrong with our message and so we need to change it? When the church in Corinth looked on Paul’s ministry they found themselves doubting the effectiveness of him as a messenger, doubting the way he presented the gospel and ultimately his message. His ministry seemed to be full of suffering, unimpressive, weak and foolish. People were not responding the way they though they should to his message. Compared to the “other so called apostles” in Corinth, Paul’s ministry seemed to lack authority and worth.
In 2 Corinthians 4v3-4, Paul directly answers these criticisms. He wants the Corinthians to understand that if someone doesn’t respond to the gospel, it is not the fault of the gospel or the apostle. Instead the problem is located in the mind of the hearers. In verse 4 he pinpoints the problem. They are blind. Imagine someone who is blind looking out over an impressive sunlit mountain scape. The fact they cannot see the glorious view is not because the sun needs to shine harder but due to the plain and simple fact their eyes do not work. They cannot see. In the same way if Paul preaches the gospel clearly, openly and honestly and someone isn’t converted, the problem is not with him as the messenger, his presentation of the gospel or even the gospel itself. Instead it is because the gospel is veiled to them; they cannot see.
And who or what is it that blinds them? Unbelievers cannot see the gospel’s light because their minds have been blinded by the god of this world. In other words Satan or the devil is actively involved in hindering the understanding of unbelievers. He is perverting and corrupting the truth. He is enhancing the appeal of the world. Ultimately he is blinding them from the gospel of Jesus, his death and resurrection.
So what do we do with the truth that Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers to the truth of the gospel? Well, we cannot use it as an excuse to not keep on striving to proclaim the gospel as clearly, truthfully and fully as possible. I don’t know how many of you have tried to teach the concept of addition to a small child. With some of the girls I taught it seemed that no matter how many times I tried to explain how to add 2 and 2, how clear my message, how interactive my lesson, they just didn’t seem to get it. But that didn’t mean I gave up teaching them addition. No, I kept going, until there was one day when I asked them “what’s 2 add 2?” and they responded “4”. They had got it!
In the same way we keep sharing with our friends and keep firmly preaching the truth gospel, confident that one day some of the people we meet will get it! And why can we be confident? Because it is God who lifts the veil, not us. It is God breaks into the darkness and helps people understand the wonderfulness of the gospel, not us. So we must keep going.
