Our previous hopeless condition and how it was overcome

“For the message of the cross (the gospel) is foolishness
to those who are perishing (spiritually)” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

WHY is the gospel seen as foolishness to the non-believer?
It is because he belongs to Satan … he has been deceived and blinded by him.

“the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9)
By the “world” above, John is mostly referring to non-believers,
but the church has been seriously deceived by Satan in some areas also.

“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
whose minds the god of this age (Satan) has blinded, who do not believe,
lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God,
should shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)
Satan has blinded the minds of non-believers, making them unable to believe.

“They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News.
They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ”
(2 Corinthians 4:4, NLT)

Jesus sent Paul to:
“... open their eyes, so they may turn from (spiritual) darkness to
(spiritual) light and from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:17)

“Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.
Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap.
For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.”
(2 Timothy 2:25-26, NLT)
Man cannot just choose to repent on his own; God has to change his heart.

Man must be set free from his deceived and blinded condition …
“He (Father God) has rescued us (Christians) from the kingdom
of (spiritual) darkness … You were (spiritually) dead because of
your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away.
Then, (Father) God made you (spiritually) alive with Christ …
He (Jesus) has set you free from the spiritual powers of this
world (Satan and his demons).” (Colossians 1:13, 2:13, 2:20)
Did God rescue you because you chose to believe in the foolish gospel?
No, He just chose to rescue you … and you were not involved in the choosing.

This is a major problem for many, and that is why it is somewhat hidden.
(God has chosen to somewhat hide several of the deeper truths.)
God chooses some, but not others, is totally unacceptable to some believers.
I once knew a young woman who had a believing mother and a non-believing father.
She said she could NEVER love a God who would choose to send her father to hell.

“I (Jesus) am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t
have to walk in (spiritual) darkness, because you will have
the (spiritual) light that leads to (eternal) life.” (John 8:12)

Your multiple-choice question for today …
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free …
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed,” (John 8:32, 36)
If the Son sets you free, you are free:

1. from Satan (bondage and spiritual death)
   
2. to believe the gospel
   
3. to not sin
   
4. to co-operate with the Holy Spirit and be fully sanctified
   
5. all of the above

The bottom line
The revelation that God has chosen us should lead us to love Him more,
obey Him more, and be more willing to be fully sanctified unto holiness!