II Corinthians 4:1 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.
Think about this. This world is either the best or worst world you’ll ever live in. It depends on if you’re saved or lost. I’m thankful for a home waiting in heaven. Have you ever heard this saying? The world is going to hell in a handbasket. Over the course of time trillions of people have lived or are living. The vast majority won’t go to heaven because they’ve not accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. This isn’t my opinion. In the book of Matthew Jesus said that the road to destruction is broad and many are on it. Why do so few find the way to heaven and remain lost?
The good news is salvation is available to everyone. Jesus died for everybody. Some just refuse to believe it, but he died and rose again. Verse 4 says the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not. That god is the devil. The allurement of money, pleasure and power keeps people away from Christ. They have unknowingly made Satan their god. Do you say, “Now wait a minute.” The fact is you’re either following the devil or the Lord. I want to point out some reasons people don’t get saved.
The hypocrite. Verse 2 talks about so-called Christians being dishonest. This keeps others from the Lord. People expect Christians to be honest. Don’t hinder others by your dishonesty. Then it talks about “walking in craftiness.” Poor conduct hinders others. The world expects a Christian to walk the walk if they talk the talk. Our prayer should be not to bring a reproach to the name of Jesus. Then the verse speaks of handling the word of God deceitfully. I don’t believe you should use the Word of God to become rich. We’ve all seen this. To some preachers it’s all about money. I’m here to tell you, it’s not all in this life. The riches are to come when I hear the Lord say “well done good and faithful servant.”
Verse 3 talks about the hidden gospel. We hide the gospel when we don’t tell others about Jesus. In Second Kings 7 we see the story about lepers who knew if they stayed outside the gates of Samaria they would die. The city was besieged by the Syrians. They decided to go to the camp of the enemy. They may die by doing so but they were going to die anyway. What they didn’t know is that the Lord scared the enemy away. When they got to the camp they found food, silver and gold. They began to gorge themselves. One of them thought of his countrymen starving in Samaria and said they weren’t doing well by keeping this to themselves. They had to go tell the king. They had good news to tell. We do too. Don’t keep it to yourself. Tell others how to get to Jesus. We hide it when we don’t tell it and we hide it when we don’t live it. There’ll always be those who don’t live how they should, but let’s not be one of them. We’ll also hide the gospel when we give the wrong directions. Do you get to heaven by joining a church? No. By getting baptized? No. By being a good person? No. By being sincere in what we believe (even if it’s wrong)? No. These are all the wrong directions to heaven. I’ll say it again. Jesus is not a good way to heaven. He’s the only way! The way of the cross leads home. By grace through faith salvation came into our hearts.
Verse 4 says the blinded mind keeps people from being saved. The god of this world (Satan) has blinded people’s minds. Let God open your eyes. If you died today, do you know that you would go to heaven? You can never pay your sin debt; it’s too great. Jesus paid it. You can either reject him or accept him. I beg you to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior before it’s too late. Don’t remain lost.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 