“Why will they not believe?!”

 

I’m sure many of us have had a similar experience; We present the gospel to a dear, unbelieving friend, only to have them reject it for seemingly no reason at all. We get frustrated and saddened because in the depths of our hearts, we know that our friend has nothing to lose and everything to gain! So why do they turn away? Well, by the grace of God, His Word offers us a clear answer; It’s because no matter how bright the light of the gospel may be, to those who are blind, the gospel isn’t even a lighter shade of grey.

 

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes of the glorious light of the gospel, and the ministry which every believer is responsible for carrying out in the world. And knowing full well that in the sharing of this gospel we’re often met with rejection, the Apostle says;

“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:1, ESV).

But how can we not lose heart!? Our loved ones are perishing! Our friends know nothing of the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ! How can we not lose heart!?

 

The answer is simple: We don’t lose heart because the God who worked a miracle in our hearts is more than capable of doing the same in others. Paul tells us that the state of every unbelieving person is one of spiritual blindness. The unbelieving simply cannot see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So how is it that we do? How is it that anyone does? Paul answers this with an incredible statement in verse 6;

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Just as God shined light ex nihilo (out of nothing) at the beginning of time, so too He causes the light of the gospel to shine in our hearts.

 

The first question we should face together is one of sobering self- assessment. Does this light shine in your heart? Has the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus been lit up in your soul by the spotlight of God’s divine power? Or, is there a veil of darkness over this wonderful Saviour? I urge you to look intently at the substitutionary work of Jesus Christ, His life and death on your behalf, and reach out with the arms of faith to take hold of Him. The gift is free, turn away from your sin and believe in the good news!

 

With this light shining in your hearts, as newly appointed ministers of the glorious gospel to your friends and neighbours, do not lose heart at their unbelief, but persevere in the clear presentation of the good news,

“for it is the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16).

Rejoice in the salvation that you have received by no merit of your own, and pray that God would work His divine power in the hearts of others.