‘We have this treasure in jars of clay.’ 2
Corinthians 4:7
Paul writes: ‘We have this treasure in jars of clay
to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.’
‘Jars of clay’ refers to cups, bowls, pots, etc.,
and what really matters is what’s in them. A vessel may be chipped and flawed,
but once it’s washed and cleaned it can be used again. So don’t quit because
someone discovered you’re a jar of clay with chips and flaws. There’s a cry
from the Jericho Road
nobody except you may ever hear. Some dying thief will be saved if you’ll just
keep preaching through your pain, because the message that saves others is the
one that saves us too. Accepting the fallen is the strength - not a weakness -
of the gospel. There’s a world of difference between the coldness of a
rebellious heart and the cry of a troubled heart that says, ‘God save me from
myself.’
One glimpse of God’s grace brings all of us to our
knees confessing and forsaking sin, ‘bringing into captivity every thought to
the obedience of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV). One pastor writes: ‘People
listen to our one-sided testimonies of success and become discouraged. They
think that while they struggle, we have it all together. That’s because we
falsified the records and failed to tell the whole truth. God help us! Our
message is we were saved by grace, we are being saved by grace, and we will be
saved by grace.’ If need be, go down into the Potter’s house and let Him put
you back on the wheel and remake you - but don’t quit! (See Jeremiah 18:1-4.)
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