Page 935 - The MacArthur Daily Bible

TN_09_MacArthur_Bible_Sept.qxd 8/8/03 16:44 Page 916

SEPTEMBER 13

4:16 our outward man is perishing. The 4:17 our light affliction…for a moment.The
physical body is in the process of decay and Greek word for “light” means “a weightless tri-
will eventually die. On the surface Paul was fle” and “affliction” refers to intense pressure.
referring to the normal aging process,but with From a human perspective,Paul’s own testimo-
the added emphasis that his lifestyle sped up ny lists a seemingly unbearable litany of suffer-
that process. While not an old man, Paul wore ings and persecutions he endured throughout
himself out in ministry, both in the effort and his life (11:23–33), yet he viewed them as
pace he maintained, plus the number of beat- weightless and lasting for only a brief moment.
ings and attacks he absorbed from his enemies
(6:4–10; 11:23–27). inward man. The soul of eternal weight of glory. The Greek word for
every believer i.e., the new creation—the eter- “weight” refers to a heavy mass. For Paul, the
nal part of the believer (Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10). future glory he would experience with the Lord
being renewed. The growth and maturing far outweighed any suffering he experienced in
process of the believer is constantly occurring. this world (Rom.8:17,18; 1 Pet.1:6,7).
While the physical body is decaying, the inner
self of the believer continues to grow and
mature into Christlikeness (Eph. 3:16–20).

DAY 12:Why do people not respond to the gospel?

Paul said “if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing” (2 Cor. 4:3). The false
teachers accused Paul of preaching an antiquated message. So Paul showed that the problem was
not with the message or the messenger, but with the hearers headed for hell (1 Cor. 2:14). The
preacher cannot persuade people to believe; only God can do that.
“Whose minds the god of this age has blinded”(v.4).Satan (Matt.4:8; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11;
Eph. 2:2; 2 Tim. 2:26; 1 John 5:19) is the god of this age—the current world mind-set expressed by
the ideals, opinions, goals, hopes, and views of the majority of people. It encompasses the world’s
philosophies,education,and commerce.Satan blinds men to God’s truth through the world system
he has created. Without a godly influence, man left to himself will follow that system, which pan-
ders to the depravity of unbelievers and deepens their moral darkness (Matt.13:19).Ultimately,it is
God who allows such blindness (John 12:40).
“For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus” (v. 5). The false teachers accused Paul of
preaching for his own benefit,yet they were the ones guilty of doing so.In contrast,Paul was always
humble (12:5,9; 1 Cor. 2:3); he never promoted himself, but always preached Christ Jesus as Lord
(1 Cor.2:2).“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” (v. 6). A direct reference to God as
Creator, who commanded physical light into existence (Gen.1:3).The same God who created phys-
ical light in the universe is the same God who must create supernatural light in the soul and usher
believers from the kingdom of darkness to His kingdom of light (Col.1:13).That means to know that
Christ is God incarnate.To be saved,one must understand that the glory of God shone in Jesus Christ.

3 The fortress also will cease from
September 13 Ephraim,
The kingdom from Damascus,
And the remnant of Syria;
Isaiah 17:1–18:7 They will be as the glory of the
children of Israel,”
17 The burden against Damascus. Says the LORD of hosts.
“Behold, Damascus will cease from 4 “In that day it shall come to pass
being a city, That the glory of Jacob will wane,
And it will be a ruinous heap. And the fatness of his flesh
The cities of Aroer are forsaken; grow lean.
2
They will be for flocks 5 It shall be as when the harvester gathers
Which lie down, and no one will make the grain,
them afraid. And reaps the heads with his arm;

916