Bible verse of the day Monday July 31st, 2023

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 them 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 academic level, if that person is ready and willing to surrender completely and totally to Him.