Thursday, December 14, 2017

Nobility of Purpose with Humility of Attitude

UV 2855/10000 Nobility of Purpose with Humility of Attitude
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us
2 Corinthians 4 v 7
The treasure of the knowledge and wisdom of God hidden and revealed in Jesus Christ is stored in our clay pot bodies and minds. Only when our clay pot minds hold the water of the Word of God in it for some time, does it turn into precious knowledge and wisdom of salvation. The eternal treasure we contain is the hope of eternal life in Christ. We should ensure that our clay pots do not develop cracks but that we pour out the knowledge and wisdom that is as pure as liquid gold from the spouts of our mouths. In order that we are strong and leak proof, the Lord burns us in the furnace of afflictions to make the clay hard and strong. The greatness of the pot does not matter so much as the content or the message we carry with our lives.
The metaphor of treasures in clay pots is used to reveal that the power and glory of God is at work in us who believe. Since we are only clay pots holding precious eternal treasure, our chief purpose in life is to make the knowledge of Jesus available to all who come in contact with us. Since we are clay pots, we should not try to arrogate to ourselves the power and glory of the Lord to ourselves. We are only the vessels. We are brittle vessels and should take care that we do not break under the pressures or give in to the pleasures of this world. Since we hold beautiful treasures, we should also work on our being and character so that even the container matches the contents in terms of beauty to the extent possible. The paradox of reality implies that nobility of purpose should combine with humility of attitude.
The uni-verse also underlines the fact that true or genuine excellence is not of this world but it comes from the Lord. We as humans not only have feet of clay but we are clay on the outside and the inside. The Lord has marked us fragile and sent us into the world but we ignore our fragility and start behaving like iron pots. When we do so, we are vulnerable to be hurt, injured, damaged and should be careful to be gentle like Jesus and take care to avoid such jolts. To create more space for the eternal treasures of the Lord, we should empty ourselves of all that is vain and of this earth. The Lord who is the owner of the treasures we contain knows how best to make use of us. His power of excellency working in our bodies, minds and spirits is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can think, imagine, ask. This is the reason that Friend of God- Abraham confessed, “ He is the shield of faith, the sword of my excellency.” As clay pots of God, we therefore, have a defensive as well as offensive role to play. Since we are clay pots, each of us have an expiry date, when we are no longer needed as vessels on this earth. Hence, whatever task we are given by our Maker, Potter and Filler, we need to do it with a sense of urgency and priority, with all our hearts and strength while we can be useful.
Prateep V Philip

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