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.
The primary lesson the Apostle Paul is teaching the Christians
at the Church in Corinth, and, in extension, all Christians today is that we
can learn about God's sufficiency through our insufficiency.
Jars built by human hands should not rob the treasure inside the
pot of its glory. God places the gospel in the hands of fallible humans so
that the world might witness His power through them. The ministers or messengers
of God do not have the power; they merely demonstrate God's power. The value of
the messages from God's gospel ministers is not in their calling, their many
educational degrees, or how gifted they perceive themselves to be. In the
worldwide Christian community today, there is an aberrant prominence bestowed
on modern-day Christian superstars. This plan of Satan opens the door to allow
fallible men and women to rob God of his glory in the treasure of salvation in
and through Christ Jesus and Him alone.
The transitory grandeur of human ministers of the gospel will
deteriorate and disappear when this life is over, and eternal life comes into
view. Human ministers of the gospel should see themselves as simple instruments
of the message God wants all his children to hear. The treasure inside the
pottery is more significant and vital than the clay pot. The light illuminated
by the lamp is much more critical than the lamp itself. Worldly attention to
the minister of the gospel and not the gospel itself is a dislocation of
priority.
Clay pottery has its significance but is not the primary value.
The pastor of any church is significant to the Church God has assigned him or
her to minister to. However, they are not to be the center of attention; that
role belongs to God. The apostles' Peter and Paul were both great missionaries
who carried the gospel literally to the ends of the known earth of that day
(Acts 1:8). These brothers were essential to the time they were here. They will
always be significant to the ones that bear the message of Christ Jesus and His
saving power. However, we should always maximize the message.
The value placed upon us as followers and believers in Christ
Jesus does not reflect our importance, longevity, or educational status. God
has a position for the feeble and weak. He will use anyone, regardless of
worldly prominence or educational level, if that person is ready and willing to
surrender completely and totally to Him.
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