Our Message in Ministry

Day By Day By Grace
Bob Hoekstra
May 18, 2010

Lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (2 Corinthians 4:4b-5)

The enemy of men's souls wants to keep perishing people in spiritual blindness. "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4a). This counterfeit god is working on all unbelievers (even as he formerly did with us). "In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2). His influence is so extensive. He works through every system (political, economic, educational, etc.) within the unbelieving world. "The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 John 5:19).. The primary purpose of Satan's blinding activities is to keep those in darkness from seeing God's light: "Lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them."

Into this dark and blinded world, we come with the message of light: "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ." Only the light of Jesus can overcome spiritual darkness. Our Lord proclaimed this wondrous remedy: "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12). When the light of Jesus shines into man's darkness, it brings liberating life from God. Paul was sent out with this great gospel: "To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God" (Acts 26:18).

We are also sent out as vessels of light. "You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). We are light, because Jesus (the true light) lives in, and can shine through, each of us. "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8). We can show forth our Lord in deed and in word. As we follow Jesus, His glorious light shines through us. As we speak of Jesus, we declare His glorious majesty.

Remember, the light of the gospel is about the glory of Jesus: "The light of the gospel of the glory of Christ." Our message is not about us. "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." We are but His servants. He is our message. He is the Lord over all. Thus, He is able to save from all that blinds and binds.

Dear Lord of glory, I praise You for Your glory. I thank You for bringing me the light of life. O Lord, may Your glory shine in my walk and my words. Please make my message about Your glory, not about my flesh, in Your holy name, Amen.