The Glorious Gospel Of Christ
The Divine Readings – 2Cor. 4:1-6
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, 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. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Lectio Divina Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father, the very reason for this prayer and the writing of this devotion is because of Your gracious calling into the ministry of proclaiming the Gospel of Your Son Jesus, the Christ. Grant to me, and to all, the Holy Spirit’s power to proclaim the Gospel, and not lose heart, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Truly we are living in perilous times when fallen mankind sees what You call good and calls it evil, and what You declare as light they declare as darkness. But by Your grace, Heavenly Father, You called us out of the darkness and the hidden things of shame into your glorious light and life which are in Christ Jesus our Lord. Grant us the strength not to lose heart, but to be faithfull witnesses of Christ Jesus, always speaking the Truth in love, no matter how much the world and the Devil attack.
We know, O LORD, that the Devil is the god of this fallen age, and he has the power to blind the minds of fallen mankind, leading them to reject Truth and pursue unrighteousness that they should perish forever. But grant us strength, Lord, that we might not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus alone. For He, and He alone, is the only mediator between God and man, He is the only Savior from sin. In Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily, in Him is grace and truth, for He alone is the Way, the Truth, and Life eternal.
Heavenly Father, Your Son is standing at the door and will soon appear to excecute judgement on the ungodly and gather your redeemed into Your eternal kingdom. For your Spirit works mightily within us to cry out with one unified voice, Come Lord Jesus! We desire O Lord to be in Your presence, to behold the glory of Your face! It is that hope that guards our hearts in this evil day that we might continue to persevere in proclaming the Gospel of Your Son, and usher others into Your glorious salvation.
Grant, O Lord, the power to remove the scales of spiritual blindeness through the faithful proclaimation of the Gospel that all may come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved!
Amen!
