◄ What Does 2 Corinthians 4:7 Mean? ►

Our mortal bodies are made from the dust of the earth and for the duration of our earthly life we live in frail, feeble, perishing bodies, which are decaying and dying. Seemingly they are of little worth to the great, powerful, omnipotent, eternal Creator, Who is to be praised forever and ever, amen. And yet God has taken those apparently useless, insignificant human forms and poured into them a revelation of the glorious gospel of His only begotten Son.

God has poured into our hearts the divine light of His love and glory, the glorious truth of His salvation and grace, the rich treasure of the good news of Christ, Who alone can save a sinner from the penalty and power of sin, death, and hell. God caused the treasured light of the knowledge of the glory of God, to fill and flood our weak, physical bodies, so that He might live in us and work through us – for our eternal benefit and for His greater praise and glory. We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power within, may be of God – and not of us.

Satan is the god of this world and the enemy of our soul who seeks to blind our eyes to this tremendous truth or at least to deceive us with a satanic lie. But the light of the gospel of grace is the spiritual light that shines into the hearts of all who believe and it restores our soul. On the road to Damascus, Paul was not only spiritually blind but the glory of the risen, ascended, glorified Christ, blinded his physical eyes as well. But that blindness to the truth in Paul was removed, and his eyes were opened to the beauty of Christ - and he saw clearly both, physically and spiritually. 

From dust we are and to dust we will return. Yes, our bodies are indeed earthen vessels, but the treasure that has taken up residence within our mortal frame, is the beautiful Spirit of Christ Jesus our Lord. It is the glory of God within, and Paul wants us to rejoice at the surpassing greatness of the privilege that is ours - and that the power within, will be of God and not of ourselves. It is through faith in Christ Jesus that we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the incomparable greatness of the power within, will come from God and not from ourselves.

The new, eternal life of the resurrected Lord Jesus was breathed into our bodies, which were dead in trespasses and sins. And the Holy Spirit of God took up permanent residence within our weak, mortal frames, from the moment we trusted Christ Jesus, for the forgiveness of sin and life everlasting. The light of the knowledge of the glory of God started to stream into our hearts at the point of salvation - and His indwelling Spirit is the greatest treasure of God, Who resides in mortal man.

The almighty Creator, Who caused light to shine out of darkness, is the One Who has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ – so that His life may dwell in us and His love may shine into our hearts, so that we may be made ministers of His grace and show forth the excellency of His power to those that remain dead in their trespasses and sins.

There is no merit in us that we should be so honoured, as the contrast between our frail, feeble, perishing bodies and His divine strength and eternal light demonstrates – but by His goodness and grace, this heavenly treasure has been placed in earthen vessels - our human body, which is Christ in us the hope of glory, so that the excellency of that power may be shown forth in our lives.

We are the earthen vessels into which the glorious truth of the gospel of God has been poured, causing our mortal bodies to become the temple of the Holy Spirit, Who uses this gospel light to guide us into all truth and as we proclaim the glorious gospel of grace to others. The treasure within is the Spirit of Christ - so that as we work the works of God, the surpassing greatness of His power will be of God and not of us. Let us praise His name for His inestimable grace towards us.

Thank You, Father, that You have poured into my heart the light of Your gospel, which is from Christ Jesus my Saviour. I am not worthy to have received the new, resurrected life of Christ in this earthen vessel. Nor am I worthy to have the indwelling Holy Spirit in my heart to lead and guide me. But thank You that in Your grace, I have this wonderful treasure in my earthly body and I pray that the excellency of the power of God may work through me as I die to self and live for Christ. May my life be a living witness of Your saving grace and excellent power. I am not worthy to gather up the crumbs under Your table and yet You have given me this treasure in my heart, for which I thank You. In Jesus' name, AMEN.