Today we continue to teach on our overall theme for the year: “GREAT FREEDOM.” Yesterday we will look at verse 7. Let’s look at it from three different translations:
(2 Corinthians 4:7 The Passion Translation)
We are like common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that the extraordinary overflow of power will be seen as God’s, not ours.
(2 Corinthians 4:7 Easy to Read Version)
We have this treasure from God, but we are only like clay jars that hold the treasure. This is to show that the amazing power we have is from God, not from us.
(2 Corinthians 4:7 The Message Bible)
If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us.
So what does this mean for you today? Before I get to it, I will set the stage.
Paul uses figurative language in 2 Corinthians 4:7. He likens us to common clay jars. These are jars made from the earth (dirt/dust/clay). He then likens God to a glorious treasure. In chapter 3 He made it clear that we have all of God’s glory housed in us in the person of the Holy Spirit. In chapter 4 he calls this glory a treasure. Why would God do this? Paul gives us the answer in the same verse. Paul tells us that God did this so when He releases an extraordinary and amazing overflow of His power in us and through us, the world will know that the power and glory came from God and not us.
This is a major point to understand in life. It tells us two things. First, God wants His power to be put on display (clearly evident) in our lives. Second, when God does this, He is still a jealous God and He wants ALL the glory! Let’s talk about these two things.
1. God wants His power to be put on display (clearly evident) in your life.
a) God placed His Spirit down inside of us. If you are Born-Again, then everything God is is living on the inside of you. God did not take up residence IN you to be dormant. He wants to be seen, heard, felt and experienced through you.
b) You are walking around with God on the inside of you. Realizing that is the first step. But the ultimate goal is to LET HIM OUT!
c) If you ever die to sin, self, and selfishness, and you start allowing God to flow through you (giving you the words and performing the work), you will live a life that far exceeds your wildest dreams.
d) Wouldn’t it be a shame to get to heaven only to realize that you walked around this planet for decades with God on the inside of you and you did nothing with Him? Once you are Born-Again, God does not want you to spend your life waiting to leave the earth in order to get to heaven. God wants you to spend your life bringing HEAVEN TO THE EARTH every day! He gave you His Spirit so you could do this. The Holy Spirit is your direct connection to the Father and to heaven! If you are not making the most of this connection, today is your day to make some changes!
2. When God uses you in a way that exceeds your power/ability/strength, He wants ALL the glory!
Our God is still a jealous God (Ex 34:14). He does not want us to give His glory to any other god. Most people understand that. However, many miss the point that God also does not want His glory going to man or even to ourselves. Said another way, God often does things in a way that it is clear that no man could do it. He does this so He gets all the glory.
The problem comes when He works through us. Sometimes God does things in us and through us that were clearly NOT us. On those occasions, if we take the credit, then we will get the glory, and God will NOT be pleased with us. Please never do this. Never take credit for something you clearly could not do without God. Develop the habit of giving God the glory for ALL THINGS! If you do this, God will continue to elevate you. He will give you more influence, so you have a greater position of power. Why? So you can give Him the glory on a greater level. I am a witness. I have been living this way for years. Whenever the spotlight is on me, I am quick to DEFLECT the glory back to God. God gets the glory, I get to enjoy the benefits, and this arrangement is just fine with me. The more glory God gets from my life, the more influence He gives me in this world! So if you want to experience divine promotion, acceleration, increase, advancement in this world, live your life to glorify God. As long as He is getting the glory, He will never stop putting His power on display through you!
That’s enough for today.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for putting Your Spirit down inside of me. I am a mere clay jar. You are an amazing treasure. I have this treasure inside of me — all of Your person, all of Your power, and all of Your glory — so I can show the world that the things that I do did not come from me. They come from You! I live my life to glorify Your name. You get the glory, I get the benefits, and that arrangement is just fine with me! The more You elevate me, and the more influence You give me in this world, the more I get to glorify Your name. The more impact I have for Jesus! I will never take credit for what You do through me! My life is ALL ABOUT YOU! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
