GOD COMMANDED LIGHT
TO SHINE OUT OF DARKNESS!
“…it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone IN OUR HEARTS to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this TREASURE in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” (2 Corin. 4:6-7)
First of all AMY, what is this treasure? The treasure is the greatness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the glory of God made evident through that gospel. It is the very light of God and the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, reflected in the face of Jesus Christ. This is the greatest treasure in all creation!
We have this treasure in us AMY, earthen containers!! Who is worthy to be a “container” for God’s light and glory? The smartest person isn’t smart enough, the purest person isn’t pure enough, the most spiritual person isn’t spiritual enough, and the most talented person isn’t talented enough. We are all just CLAY POTS holding an UNSPEAKABLY GREAT TREASURE. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is BEING RENEWED day by day.” (2 Corin. 4:16)
Earthenware vessels were common in every home in the ancient world. They were not very durable (compared to metal), and they were useless if broken. “They were thus cheap and of little fundamental value.” God chose to put His light and glory in the everyday dishes, not in the fine china. Why does God put such a great treasure in such weak vessels? So that the greatness of the power may BE OF GOD and not of us AMY. So that it would be evident to anyone who had eyes to see that the work was being done by the power of God, not the power of the vessel.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY…(2 Corin. 4:17)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham