Saturday, June 9, 2018
2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
JARS OF CLAY
In the Old Testament God whittled the army of Gideon down from 33,000 to 300 men. The reason God did this is so that Israel would not boast in of itself. This battle belonged to the Lord, and the victory that resulted was to be to God's glory alone. The Apostle Paul says: " . . . the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence" (1 Corinthians 1:28-29).
One reason that God chose us to serve as ministers of the Gospel is so that the emphasis would always be on Christ and the power of God. God chose real sinners with real weaknesses to be ambassadors for Christ. The lowliness of the Gospel ministry is obvious. In an age which stresses style over substance and equates numbers and growth with success, our ministry stands out as one of lowliness and humbleness.
As believers in Christ we are jars of clay. The box that contains the diamond is unimportant. Often treasures were kept in the most common of carriers (clay pots) so that thieves would not be alerted to the real value of the treasure. You are a fragile container for the treasure of the Gospel. Every Christian should be acutely aware of his personal sinfulness and unworthiness.
The believer stands in his personal corner and without lifting up his eyes cries out, "Lord, be merciful to me, the sinner." Every child of God confesses his personal sinfulness and his sins of commission and omission to God. God has chosen forgiven sinners to proclaim the forgiveness of sins. Only a forgiven sinner could convey the joy of the gospel in word and in his personal life.
-- From the "Lutheran Spokesman"
