Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 4:3-6.

 

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

 

For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.  For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”  2 Corinthians 4:3-6. 

 

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“We believe that, to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindleth in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, appropriates him, and seeks nothing more besides him.  For it must needs follow, either that all things, which are requisite to our salvation, are not in Jesus Christ, or if all things are in him, that then those who possess Jesus Christ through faith, have complete salvation in him.  Therefore, for any to assert, that Christ is not sufficient, but that something more is required besides him, would be too gross a blasphemy:  for hence it would follow, that Christ was but half a Savior.  Therefore we justly say with Paul, that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith without works.  However, to speak more clearly, we do not mean, that faith itself justifies us, for it is only an instrument with which we embrace Christ our Righteousness.  But Jesus Christ, imputing to us all his merits and so many holy works which he has done for us, and in our stead, is our Righteousness.  And faith is an instrument that keeps us in communion with him in all his benefits, which, when become ours, are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins.”  Article 22:  Of Faith in Jesus Christ in The Belgic Confession.

 

 

For those who do not receive this gift, this light within their hearts to believe, “our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”  Verses 3 and 4. 

 

Jesus said:  “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”  John 6:44.  “And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”  John 6:65.

 

Notice the absolute need for enlightenment by God in the following verses: or else we remain “in our bondage”, we remain in “the pit”, and we “sleep the sleep of death”.  There is no “self enlightenment”.     

 

Ezra 9:8
“But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage.”

 

Job 33:30
“To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life.”

 

Psalm 13:3
“Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;  Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,”

 

 

“²⁷ The LORD is God, and He has given us light;
Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
²⁸ You are my God, and I give thanks to You;
You are my God, I extol You.
²⁹ Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  Psalm 118:27-29.