We’re all familiar with the VBS tune, “This little light of mine.” We sing this song so as to let our children know that they need to be good examples and positive influences in the world around them. This song also reminds us to practice what we preach and let our light shine too. In addition to letting our light shine, however, we need to be concerned about supplying the appropriate information to those who need the message of the gospel. Paul the apostle was so confident regarding both his example and the efforts that he made at preaching the gospel that he made this statement in 2 Corinthians 4:3, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” Several lessons come to mind from such a statement.
First, do we hide God’s word from others or do we share it freely? Paul could say that he hadn’t hid God’s word. In fact, he said in Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” What about us? Are we ashamed of the gospel? When the subject comes up do we avert our eyes? Do we look to get out of the conversation? Do we change the subject? Truly, our behavior is revealing as to what we truly think about God’s message. We ought never be guilty of hiding the gospel from others. It is their only hope for salvation!
Second, can such a statement be made regarding our efforts to preach and teach the gospel? Have we so effectively preached God’s word to those around us that we can truly say that no one whom we have encountered is unaware of the truths of the gospel? If we have, then that is truly a wonderful goal to have reached. If we haven’t, then there is work for us to do. Let’s consider Jesus statement to the disciples in John 4:35 “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” God has spread before us a great harvest! Our job is to go into the fields and reap what God has given. Let’s be about the Lord’s work!
Third, perhaps there are some around us with whom we have shared the gospel message and yet, they have rejected it. That would put us in the same situation in which Paul was in. Paul said regarding these individuals, “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” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Yes, there are some who will reject the message. But that’s not really our problem. Jesus never promised that every single person to whom we preach the gospel would respond favorably to it. In fact, He said the opposite, namely, that more would reject it than accept it. In Matthew 7:13 Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” and more often than not, Jesus would teach and then end with the statement, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” What did that mean? It meant that if you are of a willing and ready mind, then listen to the message and apply it. Otherwise, too bad. It is sad that some will not hear and obey the gospel message, but that’s a fact that we’ve been told about and we must accept it.
So, what category are you in? Are you hiding the gospel? Are you preaching it to those who haven’t receive it yet? Have you preached it and it has been rejected? Regardless, let us realize that there is always someone somewhere who needs to hear the message. If we’ve exhausted the location that we are in, we can move on to other places. If we’ve just started, then let’s get busy watering what’s been planted. If we’re not doing anything, then let’s get out of our comfort zone and do something. We all can do something to further His kingdom. Won’t you start working today?