The proclamation of the Divine Word has a twofold result; it softens some; and it hardens others.
"We are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: to the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life." 2 Corinthians 2:15-16.
As Calvin reminds us of the Gospel of Christ, "it is never preached in vain, but has invariably an effect, either for life, or for death." The sweet fragrance of the Gospel has a deathly smell to the impenitent and results in everlasting death.
In the above quoted Scripture the apostle goes on to ask, "who is sufficient for these things?" Indeed, who can be the instrument of so momentous a task and shoulder a responsibility so stupendous as this? Paul quickly gives the answer: "not that we are sufficient of ourselves,...our sufficiency is from God" 2 Corinthians 3:5. None but the men who see their own utter weakness can know and experience the sufficiency of God's grace. No self sufficiency of ourselves could ever bear the responsibility upon which rests the salvation or damnation of the hearers. This is not to overlook the fact that men are lost whether or not they hear the Gospel. The all too common assertion of many evangelists that men go to hell only for rejecting Christ, finds no support in Scripture. Where would men have gone if Christ Jesus came not into the world? But the rejection of the Gospel confirms the sinner in his guilt and adds to his punishment (Matthew 10:15, Luke 12:47-48).
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