Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: Today's Passage

2 Corinthians 4:5-6

For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Before we accepted the Lord, we were under the circumstance described in verse 4: "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers," and we couldn't see the glorious light of God. The "god of this age" is not just idols or false gods, but also temptation from the world and pride in our hearts. 1 John 2:16 says that "For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world." Money, career, lust and self-centeredness can all make people proud and conceited, feeling that they don't need salvation of the Lord. Thus, the veil that covers the heart described in 2 Corinthians are put on to hinder God's work.

I grew up in the church, and I have always been considered as a good kid, but deep down inside I knew that I was faking it in order to win praises and acceptance from others, and I never thought that was inappropriate and needed to change. Later on, God enlightened me with His word, and I recognized that pride is actually the sin that God hates the most. Therefore, I repented for my pride before Him. Has your life been enlightened by God? When Paul was shined upon by God with great light on his way to Damascus, he fell on the ground and didn't eat or drink for three days. He saw his own filthiness and deeply repented for it, and began to completely turn back to God.

Perhaps you want to question the pastor: "Why didn't God shine a great light on me?" On the one hand, it's God's mercy for us. Unless He has given special grace, no one can stand before the holy God. On the other hand, God has already called upon us through pastor's sermon, the circumstance or people around us. When we respond to Him, His light will shine into us; as soon as we have the light of truth, we can shine on those around us. This is a process and model for a believer to enter into ministry - First, we must be shined upon by the light of the Lord, then we need to be determined to serve others and pass the light onto those around us who are living in darkness. Does your life have God's light, so that you can help others to know God the Gather and Lord Jesus Christ?

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, we thank you, and let us pray to you with the lyrics from this hymn: "lift our eyes upon Jesus, look at His glorious light; Lord is light, holy and true; mighty God, the Lord's glory has come upon us; let us proclaim that our Lord's love and grace will last forever!" I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!