2 Cor. 4:6, 7 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that [...]]]>

2 Cor. 4:6, 7 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

I never really caught what this verse 7 was saying until this week when I read it. God, in His infinite wisdom, has placed His light within each born again believer of Jesus Christ. Those that are lost do not have that light and they dwell in darkness. They are spiritually blind to the things of God.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Look again at verse 7: God has placed a treasure in earthen vessels – what is the treasure and what are the earthen vessels? The treasure is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and what a treasure it is! The good news about Jesus Christ and His death, burial , and resurrection is what changes men’s lives and brings them eternal life. The earthen vessels are man. We are the vessels of clay that bear the trasure of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! What wonderful wisdom God has in doing that so that He will receive all glory and honor, not man. The born again believer in Jesus Christ remains physically weak despite receiving the Gospel and accepting God’s grace, so that people will see that it comes from God and not man. Charles Spurgeon wrote: “ The weakness of the preacher only shows the power of God when he uses such poor means to accomplish so great an end. Never let us refuse to do good because our abilities are slender; let us the rather yield up our weakness unto the Lord that He may use it to His own glory.” All should be done to the glory of God! We may believe ourselves to be weak in an area, but if we are willing to be used by God, He will use that weakness to bring glory to Himself. It when we rely on our own strengths that God receives no glory because we are showing Him in our lives.

2Co 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

When Paul was at His weakest, then God received more glory. Paul had plenty to boast about in his life, but he realized that he needed to rely on God and not himself. Paul shows us the example of another that, in His weakness, showed God to be strong and only worthy of glory. Go to 2 Cor. 13:

2Co 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

Jesus Christ was weak before the Jewish leaders and the Roman soldiers. He allowed Himself to be arrested, beaten, scourged, mocked, and crucified. He was crucified through weakness, but that weakness showed the power and glory of God. Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose again from the dead because He loved us, and not because of any merit in us. He accomplished these things for the glory and power of God. The Creator of the universe, Jesus Christ, allowed Himself to be made weak so He could bring glory to God. What have we done to bring glory to God? Are we walking in obedience to Him? Are we reading our Bibles daily? Are we praying like we should? If you are not, then ask yourself, why not? And what am I going to do about it?