“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” (vs. 4). In this passage, Paul is saying that even though Jesus made grace available to all people through his life, death, and resurrection, there are those who do not accept the gift. To fully accept and integrate the good news, one must be willing to let go of pride, power, and status. The good news is veiled to ones such as these not because God doesn’t have enough mercy to go around, but because, as humans, we all seek other things and do not follow the way of Jesus without ever losing sight of what that looks like.
What “god of this world” blinds you to the full light of Christ? What or who competes for your attention and devotion? How do you determine whether a person, a cause, an activity, or an ideal is in danger of becoming an idol in your life? What habits and practices are helpful in removing those blinders, allowing you to see, relish in, and reflect the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ?
Take a few moments of silence today. Breathe in the spirit and exhale any worries, fears, self-criticisms, or guilt. Imagine the light of Christ flooding into the darkest corners of your spirit and bask in the warmth of acceptance and belonging.
