A Clay Jar

Encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thess. 2:12 NIV)

Treasure in a Clay Jar – 2 Corinthians 4:5-11

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 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 4:5-11 NIV

A Clay Jar

This passage provides the basis for the title of this blog. I am a simple clay jar, nothing special or extraordinary about me. Yet God has put within that clay jar a treasure. That treasure is “the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ”. I don’t pretend to understand all that Paul meant by this expression. But for me it includes God’s active indwelling presence. A treasure that is greater by far than anything this world might have to offer. This treasure is by no means unique to me. Rather, it belongs to all those who belong to our Lord Jesus.

I am weak and fragile, but he is strong. It is unfortunate that I insist in getting in his way so much of the time. There is a part of me that would love nothing more than to be in complete surrender to the one who knows me best and has the best in mind for me. But there is another, oftentimes stronger, part of me that is frightened of giving up control over my life. This blog Is a reflection of my growing understanding of God, his creation, and his revelation to us in the Bible.

Why I Write What I do

I am not really called as an evangelist. I will share my faith when the opportunity arises. But that is not my primary calling. My understand of my calling is to help believers grow in their faith. I am also not generally interested in tackling many of the hot topic social issues that we face today. I believe it is much more important to change individual lives rather than the culture. As lives change, the culture will change as well. And, while I have very definite doctrinal positions, I have no interest in being dogmatic about them. I am much more interested in just sharing what God is showing me with the hope that it will be helpful to you as well. And that is reflected in the posts that you will most commonly see me producing.

Disclaimer

The views expressed here are solely mine and do not necessarily reflect those of any other person, group, or organization. While I believe they reflect the teachings of the Bible, I am a fallible human and subject to misunderstanding. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions about this post in the comments section below. I am always interested in your feedback.

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This post was originally published on November 5, 2010

9 thoughts on “Treasure in a Clay Jar – 2 Corinthians 4:5-11”

  1. I, so look forward to your post. They mean so much to me. When God visited me, he said I want you to be an evangelist. I replied oh no God I’m much too shy. I don’t know how to speak to people because of my anxiety and shyness. But my brother who is a Bishop said it doesn’t mean getting up in front of people speaking it just means you are a supporter of God and every opportunity you get to proclaim your Christianity is an evangelist for God. Do you think it means that? I want to do what God asked me to do.

    Reply
    • An evangelist is one who is called and equipped by God to share the good news of Jesus. And it does not sound like that describes you.

      However, all of us are called to share the good news, or evangelize, with the people we come into contact with.

      Reply
      • In a sense, we all are an evangelist. I just want to be in compliance with what God asked me to do. Every chance I get I talk of God’s goodness and mercy. I talk of how Jesus died on the cross and took on our sins. I think I am being obedient.☺️☺️

        Reply
  2. Ed, you said in your post that your interest in posting your growing
    in Christ is to hopefully help others. I want you to know your posts
    are read and I have found them very encouraging to me as I am
    seeking to grow closer to God and becoming a “sanctified” believer,
    not perfect by any means, but always praying “Lord, less of me, and
    more of You! Thank you for your posts, they are a blessing!

    Reply

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