Unconcealed
Have you ever looked at the mistakes you have made and thought there was no way that God could use you? Or that your problems are simply too big or unchristian like to use to bring others to know God’s forgiveness? This is an issue that I see prevalent inside born-again believers. We often talk about God’s grace and what He has done for us, but when it comes to showing nonbelievers how we were before Christ became our Lord and Savior, we almost want to gloss over it. Sure we will say that we were sinners, but don’t say why. And this is a detriment to our testimony, an issue that is addressed in 2 Corinthians.
“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in trickery nor distorting the word of God, but by the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they will not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants on account of Jesus.6 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 4:1-7
Paul is writing to the church in Corinth first with an encouragement, do not lose heart. Why should the born-again believer not lose heart? It is because we have God’s mercy, we have been forgiven of our sins. A lot of people like to bash the Corinthian church for the issues of idolatry, disputes among fellow believers, and issues dividing the church. However, what is failed to be seen is that the Corinthian church is a church that receives Paul’s correction and applies it. They acknowledge the issues that were making it difficult for them to have a closer relationship with God, and are renouncing it. The Corinthian church is a wonderful reminder to put aside what is separating you from God. The believers in Corinth renounced what caused them to sin, not only that but they did not hide these flaws they used them to proclaim God’s grace to those around them. And so should believers today.
Paul continues to state that our proclamation of the truth will only be concealed to those who are already blinded by what the world is offering. These individuals would not care about what a believer did before they came to know Christ because most likely they have or are committing the same sin. The only difference is that they do not wish to repent of it. And so Paul is writing to tell the Corinthian church and readers today to not lose heart. We should not fear our failures but use them to preach Jesus Christ. Out of the darkness of our sin shines the light of God’s grace and mercy. When we examine the larger picture we can see how God’s calling in a believers life is unfazed by our past sin, it is all sin. There may be those around us who are doubting that God can forgive them, there sin is to great, there actions are so unchristian like that there is no way that God could care. It is by sharing our own brokenness that we can show these individuals what God has done, that there is no sin too great for Him to forgive someone who truly wants repentance and reconciliation with God Almighty. I’ll leave you with this, when you or others around you feel as if our sin is too great for God, it is too outstanding for healing, it is too outrageous for God’s forgiveness, remember what Christ said to Peter, “But Jesus looked at [them] and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex