3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 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.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
4 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.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
How many times does God have to say the lost are dead and can see nothing?
The Gospel is hid to the lost. The god of this age, Satan, has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they CANNOT see the Light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. So if their minds are blinded, how can they see ANYTHING which would enable them to “accept” the free gift of salvation? Answer - they can’t! They see the Light, but because they love the darkness, they hate It - which is why they won’t come into the Light! (John 3:20)
That is the first part of this Bible Truth. The second - since the god of this age has BLINDED the minds of the unbelievers, God has to step in and MAKE His Light shine in our hearts to GIVE us the Light of the knowledge of His Glory. He did it because before He saved us we were as blind as the rest of the lost. So He steps into the lives of those He chose in Christ BEFORE the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) and MAKES His Light shine in our hearts. He quickened our dead spirit through faith, the faith He gives us (Romans 12:3; Ephesians 2:8) and as a result we believe (John 6:29; Philippians 1:29). As a result of believing we come to Christ (John 6:37) and God gives us repentance (2 Timothy 2:25). We can respond no other way.
The third point I would like to make is that nowhere in those verses do those in whom God MAKES His Light shine have the option to accept or reject His Light! The Creator MAKES His Light shine and the creature is along for the ride. The Creator is Sovereign and the creature can’t say no to a Sovereign God.
Jesus raises up EVERY man God draws (John 6:44), NOT every man who “accepts” the drawing.
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