-September 13, 2024-
Good morning beloved, happy Friday,
“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”
(2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
Today’s text explains why so many unsaved people do not receive Christ as Savior: they are blinded by Satan. He is a master deceiver, manipulator, scammer, liar, and thief. His main mission is to keep people from getting saved.
What chance then do people of forgiveness and eternal life? The Holy Spirit continues to work in their lives to touch their hearts and point them to Jesus.
Jesus spoke of three types of soil in the hearts and minds of the unsaved: seed that fell by the wayside, seed that fell on stony ground, seed that fell among thorns, and seed that fell on good ground. Jesus in his parable explained how the devil comes along and steals the seed before it can take root; the stony ground represents shallow ground where the seed cannot take root; the thorny ground speaks of the cares of this world that choke the word; but praise God for the good ground, the fertile soil that produces good fruit.
Every soul saved is a miracle of God’s grace. God desires each person to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. A good example is the proconsul Sergius Paulus who sought to hear the Word of God from Saul, latter called Paul. There was a certain sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul from the gospel. Paul called on the Holy Spirit to strike him with blindness, very fitting for an emissary of the devil who had tried to blind the proconsul who did get saved. Bible scholars believe that Saul took the name Paul after this encounter with Sergius Paulus.
Let us be courageous in proclaiming the gospel. God is responsible for the results, we just need to be faithful. All sinners are blind spiritually. Only God can open their eyes so they can be saved.
Have a blessed day sharing the gospel with the lost. Stay safe and healthy.
There is rejoicing in heaven over every soul who is saved. Thank God when Christ wins, the devil loses.
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 