Daily Devotions

2 Cor 4:1-4 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 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. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 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.

There are many over the years who have handled the Word of God deceitfully. (Verse 2) Paul had to contend with such ones in his day and they continue in our day as well. It was the desire of Paul and the other apostles to expose the false prophet and teacher and proclaim the true gospel, our gospel Paul calls in in verse 3. I want to look at those who proclaim a false gospel but first we need to determine what the true gospel is. What was the gospel message preached by the apostles? First, it is a gospel that begins and ends in Jesus Christ. All of those men knew for certain that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, the Messiah of Israel. – Matt 16:15-16 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. The gospel message, the true gospel begins and ends in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Son of God who came into this world for a specific purpose. – Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. And Jesus would provide that way of salvation for the lost, for the sinner on the cross by giving Himself a sacrifice for sin. The first part of the true gospel message is Jesus Christ coming into this world to give Himself a sacrifice on the cross for sin, for those who are lost. This was the gospel that was preached by Paul. – Rom 5:6-9 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Now, who are those without strength, who are the sinners for whom Christ died?
(More tomorrow)

This entry was posted on Monday, April 15th, 2013 at 5:59 am and is filed under Daily Devotions. You can skip to the end and leave a response.