Paradoxes

II Corinthians 4: 6-12

For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness" (Genesis 1:3), is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 

Continuing from yesterday;

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing power will be of God and not from ourselves; 

Our "earthen vessels," or "clay pots" are our bodies that God made of the dust of the Earth. And this "treasure" is the glorious Light that God shines into our spirit in the person of His Holy Spirit; who teaches us and guides and leads us, and strengthens us, and works in us to mold and make us into the very image of God the Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord. 

I have discussed some of the implications and ramifications of having this treasure in earthen vessels in my blog entries of September 26, 2017 and June 8, 2018. 

Because we have this treasure: 

we are afflicted in every way but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 

We are abused and slandered and beaten up and imprisoned for our faith, but with God the Spirit in us, He sustains us and keeps us from being destroyed. 

always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the Life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 

Our suffering physically and mentally and psychologically under the onslaughts of the enemy and his minions, is the dying of Jesus; but it all just causes the glory of the Lord to shine out, even brighter in the deepening darkness around us.

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. 

So our constant persecution is bringing out how strong and powerful is the Life that lives in us in the Spirit of Jesus. 

So death works in us, but Life in you. 

Paul is saying that all his suffering is bringing the benefits to these, his congregants. That because he is willing to go through all these perils, these believers can enjoy the Life of Christ. 

And God will receive the glory, the credit for accomplishing it all in him and them.  

O my Father, thank You for this magnificent Plan that You have plotted out before You ever made anything. Thank You for considering us so valuable that, although we are frail and fragile, and despicable rebels, the criminals who deserve execution; You sent Your Son to take our death to pay our debt in full! That's how much You determine our worth to be! 

So You take these opaque clay jars that are common vessels, and You are transforming them into diamond crystal vases, through which Your Light can shine out.

During this process, You are strengthening us to undergo all the rigors of the schooling we need to learn Your ways, to love You by loving one another, and to spread Your seed of the Gospel to every living person.

This is what You originally planned for us. To make us Your family, living with You in Your very presence, sitting with You in Your authority over all You make, enjoying You forever! 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord God Almighty, to the glory of Almighty God the Father!