As Christians it is our primary duty to share the gospel of Jesus with family, friends, community, and the world. Additionally sharing is required because the gospel is veiled to those who are perishing. Jesus promised the disciples, and modern Christians by extension, that “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”. (Acts 1:8 ESV) Nothing in that promise has changed. Christians are witnesses of Christ right now right this minute. Paul writes what may be the most inspiring and motivating evangelistic words in the Bible.

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 ESV

The Veiled and Hidden Gospel

Your loved ones who are lost are perishing because the gospel is veiled to them. The Greek word for “veiled” here means to “hinder the knowledge of a thing” καλύπτω (kalyptō). Thinking on this description Christians should alter the common phrase about a lost and dying world to a dark and dead world. Only the light and new birth in Jesus Christ, the gospel, will save that dark and dead world. Those whose minds are blinded are blinded by the “god”, or Satan, of this world. Satan wants to keep them from seeing the “light of the gospel of the glory of Christ”.

Satan is actively working to suppress the light of Christ in this world. The light must be an overflow from Christ and the source of the light is God. That light is the glory of Christ and Paul tells us that the light shines from our heart outward.

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

The Light for the Perishing

Pause for a moment brother and sister in Christ. Pause and think for a moment that the light of God, the light of the knowledge of God, and the light of the gospel message, shines in our hearts. The light is inside of you Christian! If the light is in you then why is the light is veiled from those perishing? Why is the light is dim? What is wrong with the light that it is not making it to those around you?

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 ESV

Let the Veiled Light Shine

Do you hide the light in your heart? Are you fearful to expose your heart of light to the world? Paul understood that there are risks. He understood there are abuses for those that open their heart for the world to see. The god of this world wants you to hide you light. This evil god wants the dead to remain dead. He wants them in darkness and Paul addressed that with these wonderful words of realism and encouragement.

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 ESV

March on spiritual warrior of God. Take up the spiritual weapons and walk right into that ridicule, that mockery, that persecution, that loss of a job. If God calls embrace it all! Let that light shine. Eternity is at stake.

Thank you for reading. Leave a comment or click the like button. I love the feedback from readers. At this time you can keep reading: So Bright I need Shades.