But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 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. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
2 Corinthians 4:3-5
The Bible is clear. Mankind has a very real and malevolent enemy who continually seeks to destroy. Jesus said of this enemy that He comes to steal, kill, and destroy while He, Jesus, comes to give abundant life (John 10:10). Paul, as shared above, pointed to Satan's ability to blind men's minds. The sole purpose is to keep them from the cross as it is the only means of salvation. The devil only wants to keep men from God, and he is working overtime to do it in these last days.
It is always important to remember the tactics of the enemy. Let's take today's hot button issue, homosexual marriage, as an example. What is the devil's purpose in justifying this sin (or any sin for that matter)? It is to destroy for eternity. If a person is convinced that their sin is normal behavior or that it is not wrong in God's eyes, they feel no need to repent and seek restoration with God. To them, it is not wrong, so why do they need a savior? Satan has effectively hid the gospel.
It is always important to remember the tactics of the enemy. Let's take today's hot button issue, homosexual marriage, as an example. What is the devil's purpose in justifying this sin (or any sin for that matter)? It is to destroy for eternity. If a person is convinced that their sin is normal behavior or that it is not wrong in God's eyes, they feel no need to repent and seek restoration with God. To them, it is not wrong, so why do they need a savior? Satan has effectively hid the gospel.
I give no pretense nor place to hide. Homosexuality is sin and it needs God's forgiveness in Christ. Yet, the destroyer of men's souls wishes our "enemies" to think that it is ok. This is why Jesus always asked us to pray for our "enemies" as He does not enjoy sending them to destruction; furthermore, He wishes that all would repent and be saved. As proof, consider the words the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet, Ezekiel. "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" Or consider the words given by inspiration to Simon Peter. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
Another trick is to make our opinions or the opinions of others replace GOD. This makes them an idol. All belief systems, including atheism, require faith to be placed somewhere. As such, they become idols when they rise against the Word of GOD. Our problem is that we are in a pluralistic, materialistic, and relativistic society which is clearly in the process of casting the word of GOD aside. In essence, the Post-modern culture is saying that there is no clear, ultimate truth and every culture and religion seems to have portions of truth. The fact is that there is a solid truth that cannot be altered, changed, nor broken. It was clearly defined by Jesus who, by His life, death, and resurrection, has proven Himself to be the authority. His miracles, ministry, and life are clearly indicators of His qualifications. Even His contemporary critics had to work hard to explain away His power, but their attempts only made it evident that He is who He claimed to be–God our Savior.
Just a reminder, Truth is true even if no one believes it, and a lie is a lie even if everyone believes it! This means that many are choosing to place their faith in their own opinions and theories while discrediting and discounting God and His word. Men place faith somewhere, for instance, Dawkins places His faith squarely in Darwinistic evolution all the while maligning the Lord. Man is by nature a creature of faith. He has to trust in something. Why not trust the Word of God that lasts forever and has infallible evident proofs like an empty grave, a 100 percent accuracy at prophecy, historically validated evidence, and more? Not to mention the thousands of changed lives of those who wholeheartedly gave themselves to Christ and the word.
Don't become willfully blinded. Our true enemy is working overtime because he knows his time is limited. He knows he has an abyssal appointment and then a long swim in the lake of fire. He also knows that Jesus Christ is Soon2Come, Do you?
Speaking of Poor Souls Blinded
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