Corinth, an ancient Greece city, was known for its wealth, diversity, and often, its moral struggles. The Corinthian church, despite its riches left much to be desired of it. It was plagued with spiritual immaturity, ethical lapses and fundamental flaws. Yet through this church, we are strengthened with a wealth of spiritual nuggets from Apostle Paul, which are priceless in the church today; God chooses to place his priceless treasure within the most unlikely vessels. In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Apostle Paul reflects on who we are, what we have, and why we have been fashioned in such a way.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7
Earthen vessels were common in the ancient world. They were cheap, easy to make, frail, and easily broken, yet able to contain precious treasures of great value that were kept in them by kings and their owners. Paul likened us to these jars of clay. Our human weakness is not a flaw in God’s plan; it is the canvas upon which His power is displayed. The alluring imagery used here brings three things into light:
1. The vessel
2. The treasure
3. The purpose
The vessel: Fragility meets purpose
These are fragile jars of clay, very ordinary, prone to weakness, not so impressive on the outside compared to other vessels (of gold and silver), and sometimes imperfect. These vessels were crafted in various forms for varied uses, including keeping precious treasures in them. Often, we are frail, not so qualified, not so glamorous, and yet usable. We are weak, but God uses the weakness as a channel for his redemptive power. Indeed, the infinite glory of God resides in frail containers of human life.
The Bible is replete with such men:
- Abraham was a man grappling with doubt considering his bodily weakness and the that of his wife, yet believed against all hope even when the natural order of conception was against him.
- Moses was a burdened fugitive with insecurities, a stutterer with extreme anger and weaknesses yet knew God face to face and led Israel out of bondage.
- Peter was a hot-headed fisherman, impulsive and fearful, denied Jesus three times, yet became the leader of the rock of the early church.
- Paul was the chief prosecutor of the church, travelled across cities to quench the fire of revival in the early church but became the chief pioneer of the gospel after God arrested him on the road to Damascus. He became the shining flame that God used to advance the mission beyond any other apostle in the early church.
Each life reminds us: God calls and empowers ordinary, flawed people to carry out extraordinary purposes in their destinies. They harboured the treasure of His power.
The Treasure: God’s indwelling Presence
The treasure is the indwelling power of the gospel and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ shared his love with us by laying down his life for us (John 15:13), gave us grace to abide with the Godhead forever, and has become our hope for eternity.
This good news, the gospel, is potent, powerful, alive, and sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and discerns thoughts and intentions (Hebrews 4:12).
The treasure is the indwelling Holy Spirit in you. As believers, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. His power is limitless, and his force is so valuable that even our weaknesses become platforms for God’s glory as He works in us. His presence in our lives quickens our mortal bodies.
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
Romans 8:11
He sets our body on fire. He ignites boldness in us in the face of adversity. He equips us with the spirit of revelation. He empowers us with endurance and allows the word of God to have free course in our lives. The Holy Spirit is the extension of God in the believer. You need to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
The gospel (the word), and the Holy Spirit in you together, activate the transformational power of God in your life. You now become unstoppable, unmovable, indestructible by any deadly wile of the enemy.
Beloved, the jar may be weak, but the treasure is indestructible. The treasure indeed adds value to the jar.
The Purpose: Why flawed Vessels?
…that the excellence of the power may be of God and not us.
God’s plan is to empower you. He chose you in your imperfect, frail, and deflated state so He can revitalise your flesh and revive your spirit. Through the treasure, the vessel is equipped for every good work, energized for the persecutions, strengthened for the dangers, edified for the challenges ahead. Paul walked in this power. Here was the impact on his life:
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
- Afflicted in every way yet not crushed
- Perplexed but not in despair
- Persecuted but not abandoned
- Struck down but not destroyed
Human strength fails; divine empowerment establishes you.
We function with the enabling grace of God that works through His Spirit in us. Anyone who relies on physical abilities, strength, wisdom, and knowledge will fail. It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing. The power to live a victorious life comes from the spirit my dear friends. It may not stop you from going through trials and temptations, persecutions, and prosecutions, but surely will keep you from its fiery claws of death and destruction. Where the power of God is at work, affliction may be inevitable, but destruction is impossible.
How to keep the jar accessible
As vessels, we need to be accessible and usable. The question, therefore, is this: how do I make myself accessible?
- Keep it clean and ready.
The taste of sin constantly entertained and the desire for earthly pleasures make us unavailable. Clean the “house” for the Master’s use.
- Stay available, not impressive.
External packaging only pleases the eyes. God wants you to be available always. Your content on the inside will express the value on the outside.
- Allow yourself to be broken.
Your brokenness makes you more usable. God has never used any man without first breaking him. The corn of wheat needs to die first before it can bear fruit (John 12:24). Smith Wigglesworth said, “Before God could bring me to this place, He has broken me a thousand times.” The approach has not been modernised.
- Die to self.
No one alive to self is accessible by God. Your passions must be purged, desires destroyed, and earthly emotions crushed first. You must be weighed on a scale and found to be qualified. Die to the world and die to self.
- Rely on God’s power.
There are moments when you feel inadequate and insufficient. Your strength will fail. Trusting God and relying on Him is your “jail card”. The excellency of the power is from God, not from you.
“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.”
Romans 8:19
Even when life presses in, remember Paul’s words:
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed…struck down, but not destroyed”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Pray with me: Gracious Father, help me die to self, rely on your power and fill me with more of you so I become a treasured vessel. In Jesus Name. Amen
Your next steps:
- Acknowledge your frailty
- Pursue the Holy Spirit
- Let others see the cracks in your jar by sharing your testimony
Christ in you, the hope of glory!
Shalom