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 . . 2 Corinthians 4:3-5
Each week we are going through the entire New Testament of the Bible, from
Matthew to Revelation, stopping at each verse that tells us how we might gain eternal life in heaven.
The great Apostle Paul, perhaps the greatest evangelist ever, and the man whom God inspired to write much of the New Testament, devoted his entire life and ministry to one thing - preaching the gospel. What is the gospel? It is summarized in John 3:16, often called the "Bible in a verse" - when we believe in Jesus Christ alone, plus nothing, we are saved! Yet, a lot of what we hear today is Jesus plus, plus, plus isn't it? Paul tells us that the gospel is "light" but that much of the gospel is "hid" from them who are "blinded" to the truth of the gospel (by the devil and his helpers) and thus do not "believe." When we "believe" (as these verses reference), we see the "light" and are saved.
Paul tells us clearly in these verses that he does not preach "ourselves" but rather "Christ Jesus the Lord." There is a division today, as there always has been, between those who are preaching themselves, and pretending that they can save you with their devices, and those who are preaching Jesus Christ and Him alone as all sufficient. 2 Corinthians 3:5. Whom are you following? Who is your Savior!