2 Corinthians 4:7-12

7: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
8: we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;
9: persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
10: always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11: For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12: So death works in us, but life in you.

*** 

Paul talked about the troubles the apostles suffered, and continued to suffer, for the sake of establishing the gospel of Jesus Christ. They experienced affliction, persecution, and opposition in every way. Yet they were not defeated. They were not in despair. God had not forsaken them but remained with them.

Paul considered all of the bodily sufferings he went through as sharing in the sufferings of the Lord. Jesus said anyone who wants to come after Him must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23). A cross is something you die on. It’s a place of sacrifice, yet it’s a death that leads to life. It is a seed sown for the purposes of God to be fulfilled so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in the flesh. Both the suffering and the resurrecting power of the Lord is displayed.

Paul explained that the death which he and the others suffered—all of the afflictions and troubles—worked to bring life to them. In other words, he suffered what he did in order to bring the gospel and the ministry of the Spirit to others so they might experience the fulness of God’s life. It’s much easier to go through a tough time if you know there is a godly purpose in the end. You may not always know what it is, or see it, but ask the Lord to show you. You want to be able to discern when a problem is from the enemy and is a situation you can rebuke him out of, and/or when it’s a trial that you need to dig in your heels and persistently and courageously push through until breakthrough.

The treasure Paul spoke of is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, which he mentioned in verse 6, and is contained in earthen vessels. It’s contained in bodies which are subject to the afflictions and death of the world. Yet this is so it is made clear that the surpassing greatness of the power within us is of God, not from any person, and it will be displayed as such—as being from God, not man. God has graciously placed this treasure within His people. To be carriers of this treasure is an amazing honor, and responsibility. We must remember its purpose is for His glory. As Jesus said, let your light shine in such a way that the Father is glorified by your good works (Matthew 5:16).


 

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