TREASURE IN JARS OF CLAY
Keywords 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though
outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
1.
After displaying the glory of the gospel ministry to the believers in Corinth,
Paul frankly describes his and his coworkers’
suffering. The gospel workers suffered both physically and mentally from
persecution and all kinds of hardships. Yet they were not defeated nor despairing (8-9). And there was
a spiritual purpose in these sufferings: Jesus’ life was revealed in his
servants’ bodies. This is the principle of
Jesus’ own victory through his death on
the cross (10). It reveals that the power of God is of a different kind than
human strength.
2. Our earthly bodies are like
humble and fragile clay jars that contain a precious treasure (7). Jesus’ resurrection shows us that when
our jar of clay is broken, we will be raised to new life (14). So, when we are
faced with our human weakness, instead of becoming discouraged, we can rejoice
and grow in our inner self, learning to focus on eternal things (18). We can be
a good influence on others by speaking with the spirit of faith in what is
unseen (13).
Prayer Father, thank you for revealing
your great power even through my weakness. Grant me faith to see your eternal
glory and victory and help me to plant that faith in others.
No comments:
Post a Comment