2nd.Corinthians 4:1-11 "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 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. But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 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. For we preach not ourselves, but CHRIST JESUS the LORD; and ourselves your servants for JESUS' sake. For GOD, WHO commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of JESUS CHRIST.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of GOD, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the LORD JESUS, that the life also of JESUS might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for JESUS's sake, that the life also of JESUS might be made manifest in our mortal flesh."
"For GOD, WHO commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of JESUS CHRIST" (v.6). Paul, in this verse, draws a beautiful analogy comparing our new creation in CHRIST (2nd.Corinthians 5:17 pictured above) to GOD's creation of our world. Both we and the world originally existed in darkness. As for the Earth, "darkness was upon the face of the deep" (Genesis 1:2). As for us, our former condition was one of darkness. As for us, our former condition was one of darkness (Ephesians 5:8), "having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of GOD" (Ephesians 4:18). On the first day of the creation of the world GOD gave the command, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3), and out of the darkness came a brilliant light. In the new creation, GOD has shined spiritual light in the hearts of believers where formerly there was only darkness. May we never cease to show forth the praises and the excellencies of the ONE WHO has called us "out of darkness into HIS marvelous light" (1st.Peter2:9).
John Darby aptly stated that the LORD "has shone in our hearts for the shining forth of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in [the] face of [JESUS] CHRIST." This signifies that we are to shine forth this light to others: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your FATHER which is in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16). In the physical realm, the sun is the light of our world today; spiritually speaking, the SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, is the LIGHT of the World, making it possible for us to walk in the light as HE is in the light (John 8:12 pictured above; 1st.John 1:7). Let there be light as we shine forth the glorious light of the LORD to those who desperately need to know HIM ! GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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