In 2 Corinthians 4:7 we read, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay.” And why do we have this treasure? Paul finishes the thought by saying, “to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” What he’s talking about here is the message of Christ. When the jar is broken the light can shine through.
When Paul says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1, NIV) He’s talking about his testimony that’s shared through living the gospel.
There’s a common saying which goes, “You might be the only Bible that people read.”
With that in mind, ask yourself, what do they see? What message are you sending out when you’re under pressure, stressed out, or in fear? Do they see a God they can lean on by the way that you’re leaning on Him?
Think of it this way: imagine a vineyard in season. Rows of vines, laden with fruit, ready to be picked. In order to fully enjoy the fruit and to share it with others, it needs to be processed. In fact, if you hope to make wine, it needs to be crushed and pressed to extract the juice from the grapes. Before people had wine presses available to them, they applied pressure by stomping the grapes until they were completely crushed, at which time they could separate the juice from the skin and the stems.
We’re a lot like that fruit when it comes to the process of living our faith. Our testimony is produced under pressure, so that the more we’re hard pressed the more we pour out the message of Christ. It’s in the overcoming of trials that they taste of His goodness and power, and, as He pours Himself in, we pour ourselves out.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. (2 Corinthians 4:8-11, NIV)
Subscribe so you don’t miss a post:
Tilling the Soil
Read 2 Corinthians 4.
Planting Hope
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV)
About the Author
DARLENE SCHACHT is an award-winning and NYT best-selling author. She is the founder of Time-Warp Wife Ministries, an online publication that encourages women to live Christ-centered lives.
Her passion for scripture and hunger for truth is the driving force behind a unique ministry that offers Bible studies and daily marriage prayers. Darlene is joined by her husband Michael on the daily podcast “5-Minute Marriage.”
Connect With Darlene:
Facebook: @timewarpwife
Instagram: @timewarpwife
Pinterest: @timewarpwife
Twitter: @timewarpwife
Amazon: Darlene Schacht (affiliate link)