The Power Belongs To God

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12.

In spite of the confidence that the apostles might have righty had in their history and abilities, Paul makes it clear that this pales in comparison to the power of God in us.

We must never forget that we are merely “dust” and to dust we will return. Having been born again in Jesus, we gain strength everyday to live with greater power, this “dusty” life. Until this earthly vessel is transformed by God.

Until then, we live varying degrees of sacrifice and suffering. For, with the apostles, this earthly sojourn is not easy. But in it we too, are, “always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” Each of our sacrificial lives bears testimony to our identification with Jesus, calling others to follow Him.

Because of our more complete view of the eternal purpose of God operating in this world, we are perplexed, but we are not crushed. Disappointed but not driven to despair. Ultimately, we are joyfully satisfied that while this “death” operates in us, it brings others to life in Jesus.