Paul has been extolling the glories of the gospel and how these glories are clearly and plainly set forth in the New Testament revelation. Now he turns to the sadly obvious truth that all do not see these glories. Not all who hear the gospel can see its glories. There is no recognising of the love and mercy of God to sinful man set forth in the death and resurrection of the Saviour.
That this is so is no fault of the gospel. Rather, its cause lies in the state and character of those to whom it is hidden. When a blind man cannot see the sun, the fault is not the sun’s.
I. THE CONSEQUENCES FOR THOSE TO WHOM THE GOSPEL IS HID.
1. The meaning of the word “hid.” It means to put a veil over something. It is concealed. It is akin to stealing and hiding that which is stolen. The light is stolen away from the unseeing sinner.
2. The evidence of the gospel being hid. Luke 8:16, utter blindness to its light. 1 Cor 1:18, foolishness. It sounds like double-dutch. 1 Cor 2:7-8, rejection of Christ.
3. The meaning of the word “lost.” It means — given over to eternal misery.
Fate of devils — Luke 4:34; unrepentant — Luke 13:3; old world and Sodom — Luke 17:27, 29; those for whom the Saviour came to save — John 3:16.
To be lost is to be as certain of hell as if you were in it.
II. THE CAUSE OF THE GOSPEL BEING HIDDEN.
It is the devil’s work to hid the gospel light.
1. The title given him. “The god of this world.” He is so-called for he exercises power over the majority in the world and they give to him their allegiance.
*There are those here who are the servants and slaves of the devil and who own him, rather than the Lord, as God.
2. The method he employs. “Blinded the minds.” He has covered the mind with darkness. Flooded it with dark musings and dark thoughts. He whispers evil thoughts against the gospel, telling sinners that the gospel “will rob them of joy, prosperity, standing in this world.” He belittles heaven and God and extolls sin and the world.
3. The purpose he pursues. “Lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
Here is all that it takes for a sinner to be set free of the devil’s power. The light of the gospel has but to shine upon their minds.
So it was with the Eunuch — Acts 8:34; Paul — Acts 9:5; Lydia — Acts 16:14.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life, John 8:12.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light, Ephesians 5:8.
May the light of God's Word penetrate your heart today.