People have a veil over their eyes, Paul says, because they are blinded by the god of this world.

Who have you submitted your life to? We all are serving someone. We all are worshiping someone. There is no neutrality. Are you serving the God of the universe or the god of this world?

Are you carrying the Light of Christ and sharing with others the glory of the good news of Jesus, or are you seeking after the things of this world for yourself?

I’m not asking if you are in full-time ministry. You can work a “regular” job and be a light for Christ. If you are in Christ, He is your life. He goes with you wherever you go. You should always be shining Christ into the world. That doesn’t have to look like preaching. It should look like loving others however the Lord has put that in you to do.

God spoke light into darkness in the beginning. He sent Jesus to be the light in this dark world. He put the Light into our hearts to shine His glory and bring the light of the knowledge of God’s glory to those around us.

We have this glorious Light in us, but we are “jars of clay.” We are fragile. He is all strength and power. We need to remember our frame. This great and glorious power belongs to God, not us.

We are given over to death that the life of Christ may be shown through us. We are crucified, dying to self, so that the life of Christ can be resurrected in us.

We want to die to self. It’s not an easy, nor pain-free process, but it’s our desire because Christ is our every desire! To get “more of God” we need less of us. Get sin, self, and the world out and the Holy Spirit presence of Christ will fill every nook and cranny available.

Paul goes through all the affliction for the sake of others and for the glory of God.

The things of this earth, including all the pain and affliction, are temporary. God’s glory and the glory to be revealed in us is eternal and worth exceedingly far more than any price we could pay.