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            In II Corinthians Chapter four verse three and four (NLT) Paul writes:

If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

I would submit to you that in addition to Satan, who is always busy using any tool at his disposal to veil the gospel from those who have yet to believe, there are many gods in the world where we live that augment the building and placement of spiritual life killing veils over the eyes of non believers.  For example, one has only to look at ticket prices for the upcoming World Cup soccer matches to realize that for many the pleasure received through sport has become a god.

Another example more closely at hand would be the commercialism that for most of our population has taken over the observance of Christmas and the delivery of what Paul would define as God’s unspeakable gift.  The significance of his birth is now almost completely ignored by the media.  Interesting to note is how quickly an interviewer will change the subject or abruptly terminate the conversation when the sports figure or public figure begins to share how their faith in the savior helps and guides in their day to day lives.

But another veil becoming increasingly popular is that of religion.  A dictionary type of definition of ‘religious’ is: ‘to be one who believes in a religion’. That definition is not contained to a particular faith be it Christianity, Islam, etc.  Many claim to be non-religious somehow thinking that being ‘non religious’ is a good position to take.  In a sense it becomes a religion of its own.  

But believing in this new religion, if I can call it that, does not change historical fact. Jesus came, a historical fact. He came with a warning; our sin was and continues to be a problem. He came with a mission. To warn us of the consequences of our sin and offer a solution. One can adopt the new ‘non religious’ religion if one so chooses. We will all still die and being ‘non religious’ will not allow us to escape being judged on what we did with God’s indescribable gift, his solution for our sin problem. Beware of veils! As Paul so accurately states, they blind from seeing truth with eternal life threating potential.     Pastor Dave