In 2 Corinthians, Paul writes to a people who have doubted his credentials and authority as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. False teachers have spread doubt about Paul and his teachings. Yet in truth, we see in the book of Acts that Paul was in fact chosen and commissioned by God to be His representative to share the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. Paul defends his calling by God, not ultimately for his own sake, but because he wants to defend the important message that God is speaking through him. Paul knows that a rejection of him and his message is ultimately a rejection of God who called him to this position and gave him this message to share.
Throughout the opposition, Paul remains clear about the important message that God has given him. Here are a few key verses that help us to see what Paul’s main message is.
In 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, Paul tells us, “And God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”
The amazing gift of peace and friendship with God is available through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul is speaking on God’s behalf, pleading with people to come back to God and live in right relationship with Him. It is amazing just how much God loves us. He doesn’t need us, but He wants us. For our own sakes, God wants us to know Him and be in a good relationship with Him. Despite our sinfulness, God has made this wonderful relationship with Him possible through faith in Jesus Christ.
In 2 Corinthians 4:4, Paul writes, “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God…God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.”
These are both scary and hopeful verses. It is scary to think that Satan, a powerful spiritual being, is blinding the minds of those who don’t trust in Jesus. They don’t realize that they are blind, but are living in spiritual darkness nevertheless. Yet, God, who created light and life is much more powerful and can speak light into our hearts. He can turn the spiritual lights on in your life so that you can see Him and the truth. When a person trusts in Jesus Christ the spiritual lights will go on and they will see how blind they have been and will see how truly glorious God is.
If you aren’t living in a right relationship with God, consider praying this prayer: God, as you spoke light into this world, let there be light in my heart. Open my eyes to see and know You and to comprehend how glorious You truly are. I want to trust in Jesus Christ and receive Your gracious invitation to come back to You. Thank You for Your forgiveness, Your friendship, and for helping me to see.