2004-02-15 Communion Dedication - Baldwin Christian Church

2 Corinthians 4:1-4

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.

If there are some who cannot seem to find the cross of Jesus, they shouldn't be able to say they didn't see us pointing to it.

If they cannot see the cross of Jesus, it had better not be the result of our false dealing, our white lies, our confusion, or our worldly wisdom clouding the picture.

If they do not hear God's Word, they shouldn't be able to say they never heard it in our speech.

If we know people who believe that they're going to heaven because of the good things they've done, we'd better hope they didn't get that idea from us.

If by their ways they are perishing, we'd better hope it isn't because we've missed opportunities and appointments with hearts that are ready to receive the love of Jesus.

Ezekiel 33:8-9 (God speaking) When I say unto the wicked, O wicked [man], thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

We can come to church, study the Bible, listen to Christian radio and watch Christian television, or volunteer for any and all ministry, but if the hidden things in our lives corrupt the working of the Holy Spirit through us, then we truly do not understand what happened on calvary. "The god of this world" works mightily in the darkness, in the hidden things of our hearts. "The lost" usually make their decisions about what is right and what is wrong based on appearances rather than truth. Just as our lives can be an influential manifestation of God's Eternal Truth, so can they also be a blinding, deafening influence to the eyes and ears "of them which believe not."

Let us now and always examine our hearts for anything that contributes to the "lest" of 2 Corinthians 4, verse four.

(hat tip to Amy Carmichael)