Sometimes, we creatures get too preoccupied with one particular application of a subject and fail to consider deep and beautiful paths in other areas of that subject. The power of God is a subject that is beyond our scope to discover and tell about. Yet, sometimes we think that if something does not fall
into a certain realm of God's power, then it is really not all that powerful or important. A man once told
me, "If you don't believe that the gospel can help people get born again or become born again, then it
has no power." Indeed, the birth from above is a powerful thing, but beloved, preaching the gospel is a
powerful thing as the source for both (even though different in application) is the same: God Almighty.

Paul is discussing at some length in this chapter about preaching and its place in the New Testament
dispensation. The previous chapter was a discourse on the difference of glory in the letter and the spirit.
While the letter (ministration of death) was glorious, the ministration of the spirit is rather glorious, and
from that ministration we begin to see the import of the preaching of the gospel that Paul investigates in
the early portions of the 4th chapter. So, if preaching the gospel does not make one born again, is it always effectual in teaching the born again?

Before our verse above, Paul says that the gospel is hid to some that have been deceived by the god of this
world (devil). Had his deception not been successful, would they have believed the gospel? By the language
of verse 4, we find these folks would have believed had the deception not been successful. Now, since a
non-elect will never believe the gospel but rather will be cut to the heart every time (Acts 7), the
devil is not interested in deceiving them, but sheep are at times susceptible to his devices of deception
that prevent the belief of the gospel.

So, after discussing the devil's aim of stealing the joy of the gospel from the Lord's people, one might be
tempted to ask, "Well, does the devil wield more power than God? If he can steal the joy of the Lord's
gospel, is God helpless to these deceptions?" Paul destroys the thought in our verse by showing that the
gospel's power is akin to the commandment of light shining out of darkness. Should it please the Lord to
overturn this deception, He is certainly capable of it as He is the One that can say, "Let there be light"
and there is light. If He can comprehend the heavens as a span and gather the waters in the hollow of His
hand, this is not a hurdle that is insurmountable to Him. Without going too deeply into this, some might
say, "Then why does He at times allow the devil to gleefully delight in stealing the child of God's joy
in the gospel?"

While not all cases are identical, I believe one of the chief things we can learn about the parable of the sower is that our lack of preparedness in our ground makes for greater susceptibility to the wiles of the devil and cares of this life. While God is capable of blessing us at any season or time of life, many times, we find ourselves without His felt presence due to our own pride and hard-hearted attitudes. As verse 4 of our chapter shows, the gospel could have shined unto some people. When looking at natural Israel, I am convinced that many of the Jews in the days of the early church were capable (had a heart of flesh) to receive the gospel, but their rejection came when looking at their own national pride and boasting.

This attitude of "elitism" is ripe and fresh for the devil to plant seeds of deception that end in rejection of the gospel. But, when ground is prepared out of humility and contrition, it is ripe and fresh for the seed of the gospel to bring forth much fruit when received and kept.

So, getting back to our verse, God certainly has more power than the devil, and the power displayed in
the light of the gospel shining forth is comparative to the light that shone in creation. This light of gospel understanding brings the life and immortality already placed there to light. (II Timothy 1:10) One of the truly amazing things, to me, about preaching is the difference of effect between that and "regular conversation." While the gospel cannot be called effectual in the same vein as regeneration, it does have an effect that we perceive from time to time.

 
Have you ever seen someone remain convinced of something erroneously? Talking to them about it did
not seem to gain an inch of ground, but then, the preacher preaches the same words, using the same
points, and building from the same Scriptures. Suddenly, they become staunchly convinced of what they
once fought against. Truly, nothing short of the power of God could effect such a change in thinking.

But, the most remarkable thing about the power of preaching is that the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God is brought forth. One who is loaded with guilt over self is freed from that bondage and
burdened with the plow of service to God for His glory. When such a blessed scene occurs, we are
seeing the image of our Saviour brought forth.

Born-again children have the image of Christ (the hope of glory) stamped on their inward parts, but the
blessed gospel of Christ brings that image to light. Consider being in a dark room where you cannot see
anything. Suddenly, a light springs forth and lluminates someone's face in the room. The light brought the knowledge of that face being present with us, but it did not cause it to be present. Such is the gospel with the face of Christ. It shines forth to illuminate His brilliant features, and what is placed within is brought out manifestly to the glory of God. When people see His image in us coming out, our purpose should be for them to say, "Glory to God."

May we plow the fields of gospel service for His glory so that His beautiful face would be seen in us,
our efforts, and our brethren with whom we labour.

In Hope,

Bro Philip