God hath shined in our hearts, 2 Cor 4:6, by the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, v.4. He does this in us to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, v.6. God shines in our hearts when we:
Manifest the Truth, 2 Cor 4:2-4. The Bible is the truth. You speak it and you live it. But we are not to teach or preach it in dishonesty or craftiness, or by handling the word of God deceitfully. If you do any of these things then there is no way that God shines in our hearts. Some people like to “butter up” or “water down” the truth. It won’t shine.
You must be living the same truth you’re teaching to manifest it. Speaking the truth and standing for the truth.
The god of this world blinds the minds of them that believe not. You can’t be crafty, dishonest, or deceitful and hope by these to make someone believe. Unbelief will definitely shut out the light that is shining through truth.
Preach Christ Jesus the Lord, 2 Cor 4:5-6. Many preachers preach themselves. Pastor Jae Joo said we are to be of no reputation, Phil 2. We should be much more concerned about Christ’s reputation than ours. Pastor Kurt Skelly said “I’d rather be known for who’s I am, than who I am”.
Christ is the light of the world. When we preach him, he shines. Joe Khamsong said that when people who want to be saved believe the gospel and say the name “Jesus”, it is evident that they are saved. God shines in our hearts when we preach Christ. We can’t simply rely on lifestyle evangelism.
Demonstrate the Power of God, 2 Cor 4:7-9. See also 1 Cor 2:4-5. When people see the miraculous work of God in our lives, they know it to be the power of God working in earthen vessels. There’s no way this could be anything but God.
Joe Khamsong said that the transforming work of God in people is the result of “his power”. There are so-called miracle workers and people casting out devils and speaking in tongues. But the work is not powerful or lasting. There’s no power of God evident. It’s just a show.
With the power of God you get through the things in 2 Cor 4:8-9. And when God starts working, it’s evident to others that it’s God and not man. When God shines in our hearts it’s like the difference between the intense brightness of the sun compared to the brightness of a car headlight. There’s no comparison.
Bear About the Dying of the Lord Jesus, 2 Cor 4:10-12. Through our dying to self, the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh, v.11.
The more we die to ourself the more Christ can live through us. The flesh is deceitful, ungrateful, stubborn, selfish, implacable, greedy, etc. It always strives against the work of the Spirit. And it hides what Christ is doing in our lives. Therefore, we must bear about the dying of Christ.
Renew the Inward Man Day by Day, 2 Cor 4:16. This is like recharging the battery in your phone each day. As the outward man perishes, the inward man renews. But this isn’t once a week or once in a while. This has to be everyday. You can’t live on yesterday’s charge. Otherwise, the light shines dimly and eventually goes out. God shines in our hearts when we renew the inward man daily.