2nd Corinthians 4:7-18 LOOK AHEAD Like jars made of clay that we human beings are, is not what is important in our life and ministry for the Lord. The value of the vessel lies in the treasure it contains. An empty vessel has no real value unless it holds something that is needed. Paul was such a vessel because he held the truth of God to be transmitted to us through him. In his openness and faithfulness, we have been blessed. The trials the apostle Paul went through did not negate his ministry in any way, but rather enhanced it because of the triumph that followed. He could be trusted with a treasure. God knew what vessel to choose to fulfill His divine purposes. The priceless contents of the vessel made all the sufferings he had to endure, worth every pain.
God's power to fulfill the work to which He has called us, is in every believer. His truth, the Gospel, the unfolding of divine purposes through us, humbles us as vessels that contain such holy things to pass on to others. The fact that the Almighty God would allow us to be identified with His great treasures, keeps us from pride, and motivates us to keep in meaningful contact with Him, the Source of the power He has placed within us. Really, people around us should be able to see God through us, and the evidence of what is important to Him should be shown to them as we live and move among them. God is able to be glorified through weak vessels that are obviously nothing in themselves, but contain what every person needs - the truth of God. Because of what we have, given to us by Him, He guards the vessel in times of difficulty and suffering, as the vessel guards the treasure within it. When we "buy the truth," we do not sell it for any reason nor ignore its claims on us and others.
It is not uncommon for a clay jar holding divine things to be imparted to others, to go through suffering in different ways. In fact, it would be unnatural if suffering did not come as a result of godly living. When truth is being brought to others, there will be rejection, undeserved anger, subtle opposition, open persecution, humiliation and mockery directed toward one who holds the truth of God in his heart. It may come from those under the power of sin and those under Satan's dominion. False brethren, and even those who profess faith in Christ, may oppose because of the challenge of truth to their lifestyle and materialistic aims. When suffering for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can be assured God will not abandon us even though we may feel we cannot take one more thing - we are at the end of the rope. What costs us nothing, usually accomplishes nothing. There is a price to pay for the privilege of holding such a treasure as truth is. Sadly, many today who one time held the truth and seemed to appreciate it, and the privilege of sharing it, have sold it. Now in the interest of making people feel comfortable, and having them think we are tolerant of sin because we do the same things, the treasure is gone from many vessels. False teachers have no treasure in them and do not suffer. They are popular and well-accepted by those who want to avoid the sufferings of Christ rather than be a partaker of them. Other may suffer, but not the popular teachers who want to make their brand of Christianity "seeker friendly."
Christ won a great victory when He suffered, and blessing has come to millions of people because of that suffering. His victory was over sin and its consequences, death and its claims, and hell and its pains. Because of His victory we have been given eternal life. It cost Him, and blessed us. That principle now flows over to us. Now suffering, humiliation and trials are opportunities for the Lord Jesus Christ to be demonstrated to a watching world through us and in us. Paul's sufferings are mentioned three times in 2nd Corinthians. Was his ministry a success or failure because of his sufferings? The Corinthians apparently considered it a failure - at least at that time. If we measure success by the numbers of people who attend a meeting, or the degree of popularity we have among unbelievers or carnal believers, our measurement is by worldly standards. "Few there be that find it," is not a welcome phrase to those who want to do their "ministry" in the ways of the world. Anything God accomplishes through His faithful servants is a success, whether it be great or small. What God does is not destroyed. What we do in the energy of the flesh is spurious and will not last.
The sufferings, difficulties and problems we encounter in our ministry, will not last forever. Our assurance is that the outcome of a ministry directed by God, is victorious. We need to keep focused by faith on the goal, not on the obstacles, discomforts and discouragements we face from day to day. We will be raised with Christ and God will be glorified by the effects of His abundant grace. There is not reason for us to lose heart and walk away from the work we have been called to because of problems. The Spirit of God gives inner strength so we will not quit. The trials we face are working for God's glory and He renews our strength daily. Criticism, weariness and suffering will happen in any work God gives us, but that is to be expected. Our service for Him is involved in rescuing lost souls and bringing them to maturity in Christ.
The power of Christ works through the weakness of men, so there is no way the flesh can glory in supposed success. Our commitment to Christ and the ministry He has given to us is what is important. We can trust Him to meet our needs day by day of whatever nature they are. There is a purpose behind it when God allows His servants to go through suffering as they carry our His revealed will. We are identified with Christ in this way. He suffered reproach and rejection, and He was despised by men. He was acquainted with grief in the course of the life He led while here on earth. Another purpose is that self-centeredness and pride are generally lost in times of suffering for righteousness' sake. Our perspective is sharpened as to what this life is all about, and the future becomes more real to us under the tension of suffering. Our faith is demonstrated so those with whom we come in contact know we have a positive motivation they cannot see or understand without faith themselves. Instead of the trials of the ministry being a negative influence, the power of God to sustain and conquer during times of suffering is put on display in a positive way. God's power is seen more clearly in the lives of suffering saints, that when everything is favorable.
This life and all that it entails is temporary and soon forgotten. Eternal things and the future become more real to us when we are going through times of suffering. That is when we truly realize the things we see, are only temporary. Even though they take our attention now, they do not last. The unseen things that grace promises, truth defines, faith claims and holiness practices, remain forever because that is their nature.
The sky is full of clouds, but they soon will pass. Famines and feasts come, but they too will not last. When seed goes in the ground, the die is cast. These things are real but temporary.
The house we grew up in may burn to the ground. Things once important to us are no longer found. Created things are beautiful as we look around. These things are real but temporary.
Unseen things we can't touch like sight or intelligence; The thoughts we have; actions that bother our conscience; Intentions of our minds and evil concupiscence. These things are real and eternal.
Grace that is greater than our sin, meets our need. Faith that we live by when God's truth we do heed. Gratitude and thanksgiving that replaces our greed. These things are real and eternal.
Humility and kindness, compassion and tact. Love and thoughtfulness; insight before the fact. Decision making and appreciation that accompanies the act. These things are eternal.
God's kind of life that He gives as a gift to us. Acceptance by Him when on the Savior we trust. Assurance of forgiveness, peace granted thus. These things are real and eternal.
"Eternal God, my Father: I am looking ahead this morning beyond the quickly passing events opening before us today, into the future that lies beyond my last day in mortal flesh. May I be able to nurture the unseen things of my life today that will bring glory to Thee. May the trials and pressures we go through in this work be such that there will be honor for Thee rather that disappointment in myself. May I welcome any suffering that Thou dost allow that produces and interest in eternal things on the part of others. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."