TREASURES AND VESSELS

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body" (2 Corinthians 4:7-10).

LIFE IN CHRIST IS NOT SIMPLISTIC, and should not be viewed as though it is. When we are joined to the Lord, we enter a life of contradicting experiences. To put it in the words of our text, we "have this treasure in earthen vessels." The treasure is defined as "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (verse 6). It is the illuminating knowledge and presence of God Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. As great as this "treasure" is, it has been placed in a crude and temporal container–an "earthen vessel," or clay pot. There is a reason for this arrangement: "that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." In the words of the NRSV, "so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us."

THE EXPERIENCE DESCRIBED in verses 8-10 show the "treasure" and the "vessel" sides of life–experience – from the obvious and not-so-obvious point of view.

ON THE "TREASURE" SIDE, we are "not crushed," "not in despair," "not forsaken," and "not destroyed." The "life of Jesus" that is revealed in human experience is on the "treasure" side. This is the part in which the power of God is demonstrated.

THERE IS ALSO THE "VESSEL" SIDE. In this perspective, our personal weakness is displayed. Our absolute need of the Lord's power is confirmed in this aspect of human experience. To this belongs "pressed on every side," "perplexed," persecuted," and "struck down." Here is where "the dying of the Lord Jesus" is revealed in us.

PONDER THESE EXPERIENCES FOR A MOMENT. It will assist you in dispelling any erroneous views of life in Christ. Being "pressed on every side" involves pressure put upon us by the enemy. From every quarter we experience opposition. Often it comes from friendships, family, associates, etc. When life becomes a burden, we are being "pressed on every side." What about being "perplexed?" This is being bewildered, confused, flustered, and puzzled. It is when we do not have all of the answers, and cannot figure everything out.

AND THEN THERE IS THE EXPERIENCE of being "persecuted." In this, the enemy appears to be superior, and makes life more difficult for us. We cannot stop it from happening, and thus we suffer. As if this were not enough, we are sometimes "struck down," or "knocked down." How we deplore such a thing, and yet often we cannot stop it. Our plans are thwarted, our joy is taken, and we are simply knocked off of our feet spiritually. When we endure such things, it becomes plain to us that the power does not belong to us, but to God. Our salvation has been purposely crafted so these experiences will occur. God is teaching us through them.

REMEMBER, THE DEMONSTRATION OF OUR WEAKNESS is not the real point, but the revelation of His power. It is our weakness that allows for Divine power to be made known. Think of the glory of this revelation.

ALTHOUGH WE ARE "PRESSED ON EVERY SIDE," we are "not crushed," or distressed. In a sense, we are placed in a winepress, yet remain like an uncrushed grape. The idea is that the pressure does not inhibit our service to God.

NOTICE, EVEN WHEN WE ARE "PERPLEXED," or mentally confused, we do not "despair," or give up. The Lord sustains us even when we do not understand everything – and that circumstance occurs more often than some care to admit. When the world comes against us, and opposition is endured even from those close to us, we are "not forsaken." Even when it appears as though we are all alone, and being hurt by others in the process, we are "not alone." Even when weakened by persecution, "we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?'" (Heb 13:6, NRSV). And when we are struck down, and our preferences taken from us, we are still "not destroyed." We receive strength to get up again, even after suffering heart-wrenching defeats. Thus it is written, "for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again" (Prov 24:16, IV).

ALL OF THIS CONFIRMS that the excellency, or exceeding greatness, of the power is from God. We are not sustained by our wisdom or ingenuity. No amount of training or personal discipline has held us up. It is our God who makes the enemy unable to keep us down.

THIS IS HOW THE LORD is bringing us glory: in a way that will leave no doubt about how we got there. When tempted to think trouble and agitation are bad, let us remember that is only the vessel side. What about the treasure?

– Given O. Blakely