For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Paul is in the midst of showing the church at Corinth that the gospel is being hidden by Satan. The Devil is actively blinding the eyes of those in the world so that they do not see God’s glory:
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (ESV)
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
That is why he writes that he is not proclaiming himself, but Jesus Christ as Lord. This is so significant to the message we hear each Sunday in our churches today. Psychology from the pulpit will not convert lives. Philosophy from the pulpit will not convert lives. Politics from the pulpit will not convert lives. Merchandising and marketing from the pulpit will not convert lives. And, especially, personalities from the pulpit will not convert lives. God doesn’t care what you know, who you are, what power you hold and how attractive your tongue and personal charisma might demonstrate. The only thing that reveals the glory of God is the face of Jesus Christ. I am paid to be a speaker and I speak on a continuous basis to audiences. I am supposed to be knowledgeable, insightful, inspiring, and entertaining, all at once. Yet, none of that matters to God. He doesn’t need me to sweeten up His message; His message is Christ. He doesn’t need me to give insights only I know; His Spirit gives insights. He doesn’t need to me to portray power; He has power. This is what Paul is saying. He is insignificant. God is magnified. We diminish God when we try to exalt self. When we exalt self, Satan uses that to blind the eyes of those who do not know Christ.
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