Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

 (2Co 4:5) “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”  Why include the portion regarding self as a servant to the Corinthians? Answer: it is Christ Jesus alone Who should be exalted! Whether God’s spokesman be rich or poor, famous or unknown, accomplished or not, it is Jesus alone Who is to be uplifted. Otherwise, some of the glory which should have gone to Him is stolen.

(2Co 4:4) “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.”    The gospel is glorious: it reflects God Who is light, Who came to this earth (the image of God). Is it not glorious that God Himself would live among us sinless for to die in our place on an old rugged cross? Is it not glorious that that same God the Son would then rise from the dead? Is it not glorious that He would not only save the sinner but also give that sinner everlasting life? Is it not glorious that He would promise that sinner a new glorious body like His Own?

(2Co 4:4) “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.”   As the god of this world (Satan) is selfish and rebellious of heart, so are his followers. Many give the true God lip service, but won’t fully embrace Him, not wanting to fully give up their own ways and desires. Jesus’ sufferings for them simply is not enough to move them to full surrender, thus keeping the Lord from saving their souls.

(2Co 4:4) “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.”  Seeing that this is true, then the Lord must open eyes to see both their need and what He has done to save them. So, it is not your own ability to convince, but the Holy Spirit’s work of opening their spiritual eyes. Once revealed, they must respond rightly with a heart of repentance combined with faith to believe He is willing to forgive and save them.

(2Co 4:3) “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:”  The terms “saved” and “lost” are God’s terms given for man’s understanding. People seem to think that if they don’t use words like “lost”, “sin”, or “hell” and instead focus on the positive like “love” and “heaven”, more people will embrace Christ. In reality they are hiding truth for what they think is better. Sad that we think we are smarter than God. If you speak “for” God, you must do so in the way and means He has set forth.

(2Co 4:2) “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.”  Dishonesty: lies are of the devil. It is he who was the first liar. Therefore to be dishonest is to imitate the devil and not the Lord Jesus.

(2Co 4:1) “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;”  Sometimes the area of service before us seems beyond our capabilities. What could possibly motivate us to go forward in service? Answer: what God hath done for our soul – shown mercy (Rom_12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.)

 (2Co 3:18) “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”   It is not through the efforts of the will that we are changed, but through a steady diet of eating the spiritual food of the Word, exercising faith to obey it, and the Spirit of God empowering  us to success.

(2Co 3:18) “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”  Notice we are beholding as through a glass. This is referring to our eyes being opened to understand God’s Word. This flesh to a degree hinders us so that we behold that glory today by faith. But, the day will come when we shall stand face to face with our Lord.

(2Co 3:17) “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”   Since the Spirit of the Lord dwells in the heart of the Born Again Believer (important to consider if you are Born Again, your own spirit made alive), there is liberty, freedom, from the condemnation of the law (Rom 8:1). It is liberty to do as we ought; not a liberty to sin (Gal. 5:13).