April, 2003

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

II Cor. 4:7

Though Paul was a man of great faith, yet he was also realistic in many aspects. He didn’t expect everyone who comes in contact with the Gospel to be saved. The unacceptance wasn’t because of the inefficiency of the Word or the ineffectiveness of his delivery of the message. It was because the people were blinded by the gods of that age. All Paul could do was to present the Word of God without distortion and without losing heart (II Cor. 4:1-4).

In order to be able to maintain his focus on the ministry, Paul shared with us his secrets: (1) Preach Christ and not self. When we promote Christ instead of ourselves, we would not feel overly disappointed when people do not accept our message. Remember God only wants us to sow seeds of the Gospel, and it is the Holy Spirit who causes the seed to grow. (2) Enlighten by the glory of God in our hearts. Paul was able to fervently proclaim the Gospel because God worked in his life. As our hearts are enlightened by the glory of God, we would want to serve Him with an attitude of gratitude. Remember the heart is the seat of all our decisions. (3) Provided with “treasure” within to fend off pressure without. Pure motivation and good strategy doesn’t mean it will be free of challenges. Circumstances and oppositions would often deflate our stamina, unless we realize two important facts—we have this treasure inside and we are but a jar of clay.

The message of salvation and its glorious result is a new creation. Believers simply remain a vessel of “jar of clay.” We are still fragile, easily broken, both in terms of emotional and spiritual stamina. It is the “treasure” within the vessel that gives the vessel its value and strength. Paul didn’t choose to explain explicitly what the “treasure” is, but a couple of verses later, he implicitly explained that it is the life of Jesus Christ (v.10). There are many reasons why Paul used this illustration. First, we need to realize our own frailty—a jar of clay. In doing so, we learn humility. Second, we need to realize our strength. The resurrected power of Jesus will help us to withstand adverse situations—hard pressed, but not crushed; perplexed, not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Third, vessel gives us an idea of being molded into a shape that holds the treasure. God is the potter, we are the clay. While being “squeeze” into its form, it’s painful. Someone once said, “Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing.” May God help us to be a vessel useful for Him.

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