The True Gospel no Hidden Gospel

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2 Corinthians 4:3-4

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:…

The Revised Version gives a better translation: "But and if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that are perishing." Paul had been speaking of Moses with the veil over his face; our gospel wears no veil.

I. THE GOSPEL IS IN ITSELF —

1. A glorious light. In countless places it is so described. This light —

(1) Reveals "the glory of Christ."(a) It tells us that He is the eternal Son of the Father, by whom and for whom all things were made, and by whom they continue to exist. This might not have been good news to us if it had stood alone; but the gospel further reveals to us that Christ became as truly man as He was assuredly God. This was the first note of the gospel, and there was so much of delight in it that it set all the angels in heaven singing, "Glory to God in the highest," etc. Furthermore the gospel tells us that this same mighty God dwelt here among men, preaching and teaching and working miracles of matchless mercy. But the gospel's clearest note is, that this Son of God in due time gave Himself for our sins. Yet there is another note, for He that died and was buried is risen from the dead, and has borne our nature up into the glory, and there He wears it at the Father's right hand. He is by His intercession saving sinners whom He purchased with His blood. But I must not leave out the fact that He will come again to gather all His own unto Himself, and to take them up to be with Him where He is.

(2) Reveals God Himself, for Christ is the image of God.

(a)  He is essentially one with God.

(b)  He shows us what God is. What higher conception of God can you have?

(3) Is light to us.

(a)  It brings illumination. It is a lighting up of the soul "to know the only true God," etc.

(b)  It affords comfort when under a sense of sin; in sorrow; in the prospect of death.

2. Most plain and clear. The gospel contains nothing which can perplex anybody unless he wishes to be perplexed.

(1) That God should espouse our nature is so far a mystery that we do not know how it could be; but we do not want to know how it was done; it is enough for us that it was done.

(2) So with the doctrine of the atonement. If God has set forth Christ to be a propitiation for our sins, our most reasonable course is to accept Him. We need not quarrel with grace because we cannot understand everything about it.

(3) I am not asked to understand how God justifies us in Christ, but I am asked to believe that He does so. The fact is plain enough, and the fact is the object of faith. At times persons inquire, "What is believing?" Well, it is trusting, depending, leaning upon, relying upon — that is all. Is there anything hard about that? The shepherd on Salisbury Plain can understand the gospel as well as the Bishop in Salisbury Cathedral; and the Dairyman's Daughter can feel its power as fully as a princess.

II. IN THE TRUE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL THIS SIMPLICITY IS PRESERVED. Paul said, "Having this hope in us we use great plainness of speech," and "My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." The apostle was a deep thinker, but he devoted all his energies to the unveiling of the gospel. He wrote some things hard to be understood, but when he came to the gospel he would have nothing but simplicity there, The true man of God will not veil the gospel beneath ceremonies. I know numbers who would disdain to do that, and yet they hide their Lord under finery of language. Let tawdry ornaments be left to the stage or to the bar, where men amuse themselves or dispute for gain.

III. IF THE GOSPEL BE VEILED TO OUR HEARERS IT IS A FATAL SIGN.

1. Not to believe and accept the gospel is a sign of perishing. You who receive the gospel are saved; faith is the saving token. The sun is bright enough, but those who have no sight are not enlightened. He that believes not on Christ is a lost man. God has lost you; you are not His servant. The Church has lost you; you are not working for the truth. The world has lost you; you yield no lasting service to it. You have lost yourself to right, to joy, to heaven.

2. The apostle explains how a man gets into that condition. He says that Satan, the god of this world, hath blinded his mind. What a thought it is that Satan should set up to be a god. Christ is the image of God; Satan is the ape of God. To maintain his power he takes great care that his dupes should not see the light of the gospel. The veils he uses are such as men's selfish hearts approve; for he speaks thus, "If you were to become a Christian, you would never get on in the world."

3. But you may be found yet; lost to-day, but you need not be lost tomorrow. The Good Shepherd has come out to find His lost sheep. Are any of you blinded? There is one abroad to-day who opens blind eyes. Is the god of this world your master? He need not be so any longer. Whatsoever keeps you from beholding the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ can be removed.

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