2 Corinthians 4:6 Commentary by
Pastor Ron Beckham
Audio Sermon – 2 Corinthians 4:6
You Will Be Changed
“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 in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Well, I’ve been at it again – watching “Le Tour De France” each day as it unfolds. One day I missed the 5:00 AM start time and the recording of the race had, for some reason, a bad soundtrack, so I saw the network’s repeat of the stage in the afternoon. As I watched portions of the repeat segment, it occurred to me that if I could simply fast-forward to the end of this bike race, I would already know who won and wouldn’t have to watch the miles (kilometers) unfold. And then I thought that our whole lives are like that from God’s perspective. The future exists but we don’t see it because we are blind. Almighty God and His holy angels are with us at all times, but we look and don’t see because we lack “sight.” But He sees and knows the whole of your life and mine.
We need faith to see the things of God. The future, for Him, is everywhere, every-when, because He lives in eternity where there is no time. And through faith, we are in eternity, too, even though physically we are senseless beings who often don’t get it that life is much more than what we can see, touch, smell, hear and taste. We look out into galaxies through amazing telescopes, and peer into atoms using incredible microscopes and think we can discover the real nature of reality, and perhaps, some might wonder, could we catch a glimpse of heaven?
But we don’t and we can’t because to look high and low, large and small, is insufficient. To find ultimate reality, to find God, is only attainable on His terms, not ours. If we discovered God through scientific means, life would not be fair because not all are gifted in that area. Intelligence won't do it, nor will artistic ability, the capacity to comprehend mechanical gadgets, superior physical strength, leadership ability or anything else possessed by humankind. We need the Lord. We need “eyes to see” that are only obtainable through the “light” that comes from God through Jesus Christ. Through faith, through His grace, we are given His Holy Spirit, and He will blessedly lead us if we are willing to be led.
We are changed by Him in subtle ways we would not expect. It’s exactly that all of us are physically blind and then suddenly, without really understanding how it happens, God enables us to “see” in ways beyond our limited abilities. We are given ”the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,” and in Him, we begin to see. The blind are very fortunate to live within this time in history. Can’t see? You can know when to cross the street and when to stop because the guide dog assigned to you CAN see, and that dog understands when it is safe for you. Can’t see to read the words in a book? You can read them with the wonder of Braille. You can “see” with touch. But there is more for us all.
For all of us, “God… commanded light to shine out of darkness” so that we might be able to know God, receive the blessings of heaven, and find the grace of forgiveness when we merely say “yes” to the Lord. Those of us who give up trying to run our own lives and will trust in the Lord as our King and Redeemer, are given “eyes” that “see.” Jesus turned to His disciples at one point and said, “Blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear” (Matthew 13:16). Outwardly the disciples were the same, but inside they were beginning to “see” the things of God.
The changes in our hearts and lives are often subtle and seemingly ordinary to the point that even though we are surrounded by the miracles of God, we usually don’t recognize them for what they are. Through faith, we are being given “sight.” God is renewing our understanding in Christ.
Recently I was again at the garage of our mechanics in Buena Park, California. This time it was about a notice we had received from the state motor vehicle department that the registration on my car must be renewed. Oddly the letter was postmarked July 7th and the last date for renewal was July 2nd, the final day it could be renewed without a penalty. David and Michael, owners of the repair shop told me, “Don’t worry. The state has given you a 30-day grace period to renew. You don’t have to pay the penalty.” Well, that was nice, but when I looked at the letter again, I still was concerned because it said nothing about any “30-days.”
Michael had one of his men do the tune-up, along with repairing a minor oil leak. The oil and filter were changed, and then I was off, driving further east to Fullerton, where David and Michael’s brother, Eddie, did the smog check. I passed! Hooray! And later that afternoon, my wife, Genevieve, took the car to the local auto club and paid for the renewal, where she received more good news: There was indeed a “30-day grace period” and there was no penalty!
During the time of the car repair I was in a chair at David and Michael’s garage, waiting for the car to be finished before driving to Eddie’s to find out if my old 1995 car would pass the test. I looked up from the Bible study I was writing as Michael walked up to me with another gentleman.
As mentioned in previous sermons, David, Michael and Eddie are Christians from the country of Jordan. I recall that some years ago, Michael returned to Jordan because it was time for him to “get a wife.” He did marry, they now have children together and seem happy. It was about his wife listening to the Lord that was the subject of Michael’s words to me and the other man.
He said that recently he was driving on a local highway with his mind on the destination and he wasn’t thinking about the street signs he was passing. The normal speed on that highway is 45 miles per hour, but suddenly a policeman in a patrol car with flashing lights was pulling him over to the side of the road. Michael hadn’t noticed a sign that reduced the allowable speed in that section of highway from 45 to 35 and he had continued traveling at 49 MPH. The policeman gave him a ticket and the fine was to be $322.00. But temptation was ahead.
A friend of Michael, another police officer, told him, “Go to court and I’ll make sure the other officer doesn’t show up.” Michael would have won the case and paid no fine! But he told his wife about it and she said, “You broke the law and you have to pay! We have three kids. I want God to bless our children, and God will only bless our kids if we live the right kind of lives,” continuing, “When poor people break the law, they have to pay for it, and it is important to be like everybody else.” Michael paid the fine. His wife is one of those subtle, God-given miracles.
The Lord showed Michael’s wife what was right. Because the Lord is in Michael’s heart and life also, he listened to her. Both of them acted as the Lord led them and her words are true – God will bless them and their children as they continue to do what is right. “It is… God who … give(s) the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). He shows us what to do, and the Holy Spirit helps us to understand, both directly and through God’s written Word. Michael and his wife, like the rest of us, are being changed for the good in small, miraculous ways, for all who trust in His Son. You and I are to be changed also.
Dear Father, we confess to You that many times we have been blind to the subtle miracles that You place in our lives. Help us to be grateful and please forgive us for not noticing what You have done. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, let us know what we should do, and then, Lord, help us to walk in Your ways. In Jesus Name. Amen.
