But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
God has placed the priceless light of knowing His glory in Jesus Christ, which is the gospel itself and Christ dwelling in the heart by faith, inside weak, fallen, erring human beings who have no goodness or power of their own. He deliberately entrusted this work to infirm men who know hardship and temptation rather than to sinless angels or to those admired for wealth, learning, and eloquence, choosing humble and unlearned workers to confound the wise. He did so that the surpassing power that makes the truth effective, changes character, and sustains believers through trouble and persecution will be seen to belong to God and not to men, with all honor given to Him alone. Those who carry it preach not themselves but Christ the Lord, serving others for His sake, studying His life as the unerring Pattern, and laboring in His meekness and kindness rather than in harshness or self-exaltation. Human workers can only plant and water while God gives the increase through His Spirit, so they must not boast in talents or take honor for success to themselves, but humble themselves, look beyond the instrument to Christ, and let His borrowed light shine through them to bless perishing souls.
Treasure and Earthen Vessels
The treasure is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, shining in the human heart out of darkness through the gospel. It is carried in weak human beings so that the surpassing power at work is seen to be God's and not their own. That power sustains them through trouble, confusion, persecution and being cast down, bearing about the dying of Jesus so that His life is made manifest in mortal flesh. It belongs to a ministry that faints not, renounces dishonesty and deceit, commends the truth, and preaches Christ Jesus the Lord and not self. Therefore human ability is not to be boasted in, for abilities and talents are entrusted by God to be consecrated to His service.
That same treasure is the gospel message, the sacred truth and blessing, the divine power and work entrusted to people to preach Christ and lead souls to the cross. It is the sacred light God has given, to be received and believed and then unselfishly imparted to those in the darkness of error to help and bless and save perishing souls. Those who carry it must renounce dishonesty and craftiness, preach Christ and not themselves, stand each in his place to represent the life and character of Jesus, and reveal the high and holy character of the church. They cannot be inactive but must be wholly earnest, and earnestness, perseverance and untiring energy through the grace of Christ will be rewarded with success in carrying the triumphs of the cross to the very gates of the city of God. Those who learn all the truth possible in order to let the light shine forth in good works will see many souls as fruit of loving labor and will realize heavenly treasures that make them more than a millionaire in heaven.
The treasure is also Christ Himself dwelling in the heart by faith, with the Holy Spirit speaking through human preaching, the rich grace of Christ, the burden of the Word, and every bright thought, good sermon and sanctifying influence. Any bright thought, good sermon, or anything good in life, words and teaching comes from God as its Author and from Christ taking possession of the whole heart, not from human smartness, intelligence or goodness, so no glory belongs to self. When the Word is presented with stirring power, stirs minds, opens the Scriptures in new light, warms hearts and comes with manifest demonstration of the Spirit, it is the Holy Spirit speaking to people through fragile containers, and the convincing effect belongs to God and not to the speakers. Without the Spirit and rich grace in the heart the vessel has no treasure, but their presence enables a life of love and unselfish service, enduring trials for truth and sacrificing to help those in need from God's love within. The human speaker is only clay, yet the Lord speaks to the people through clay, and His greatness condescends to human feebleness so that the excellency of the power to portray infinite blessings and bring salvation and redemption within reach is of God and not of the speaker. Pride must therefore be emptied out for Christ to dwell fully, and praise for preaching must be refused.
The earthen vessels are weak, frail, erring, fallen men and women, compassed with infirmity, who have no grace, holiness, power or worth of their own. They are instruments ordained for the salvation of souls, and their ministry is effective only through God's power, for human workers may plant and water but only God gives the increase. God alone makes them vessels of honor, and only by allowing Him to rule their lives can they become fit for honor and succeed in saving souls. Because people are full of weakness there is no reason to exalt self, and self-exaltation and self-interest must be put away, with trust placed in Christ as a perfect Saviour whose grace is sufficient, walking in the shadow of Calvary, reflecting the Redeemer's character, and humbling self so the Lord will lift up.
Though conveyed through imperfect human language and weak human agents, the truth remains from heaven. The Holy Spirit qualifies, guides and prompts those who speak and write, even in their choice of what to say or write. The human means of communication does not make the message merely human, because its source and prompting power are God, and its divine power and glory come from God and not from human ability. Believers who obey and trust God can see in this human testimony the glory of divine power, grace and truth, for God can make His message and warning known through frail messengers and His voice speaks even though He speaks through clay.
God's Word holds heavenly treasure, but worldly and ambitious thoughts keep people spiritually blind from seeing it.
Why Weak Instruments Chosen
God deliberately placed the preaching of the truth in fallen, infirm, weak and erring men rather than giving it to sinless angels who never fell. The treasure is the gospel message of truth and blessing, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and the divine power and work entrusted to them in partnership with Christ, conveyed through them to meet the sinful and needy and lead them to the cross. He entrusts it to those who have themselves felt the redeeming power of Christ's grace sanctifying their own lives and warming their own hearts, with humanity laying hold upon divine power through Christ dwelling in the heart by faith so that the human becomes efficient for good. Christ remains as willing to manifest His power through present imperfect workers as through the first disciples, which encourages belief that the power that helps others as weak as ourselves can help us.
He did not commit it to those admired by the world for wealth, position, authority, genius, learning and eloquence, but to the willing service of men of like passions, compassed with human infirmities and acquainted with poverty, hardship and suffering, who can sympathize with and reach persons of all classes, even the poor and lowly. The vessels are weak, suffering and apparently unattractive men meeting others in the same condition to convey the glorious truth. He places the treasure in weak, unlearned and ignorant carriers and chooses them as teachers because they are willing to learn as well as to teach, so that babes and children in Christ are far in advance of men learned in worldly wisdom in explaining the mysteries of the gospel, while in the last days the greatest scholars, statesmen and eminent men turn from the light because the world by wisdom knows not God.
In particular He chose humble, unlearned fishermen, plain men without worldly cultivation and without training in worldly schools or in the customs and traditions of the rabbis and pronounced ignorant and unlearned by the world, to be His ministers, witnesses and fishers of men. The treasure in them was truths of the highest character concerning the kingdom of God, Christ's own teaching, opening of the Scriptures, works of healing, words, example and sanctifying influence. For three years as workers with the Saviour they were educated in His own school to carry on the work He began and to bear responsibilities of the same kind He bore, by hearing all His words, learning of Him the great Teacher, walking and working with Him, practicing His virtues, and receiving His gifts in simplicity of faith and clean, pure, humble service, gaining an education of the highest order to proclaim truths of the highest order unmingled with human traditions and sophistries. Christ Himself ordained and appointed them by His call to follow Him and by the power of His grace to be His representatives.
He chose the foolish things of the world, the weak and apparently unattractive, to confound the wise men of the world. In this way the excellency of the power is accredited to God and not to men or their superior endowments, and no man is praised, petted and glorified. This arrangement gives all glory, honor and praise to Him who is above all and over all, makes plain His supremacy discerned in the frail instrument, and makes manifest that the great power at work is from God and not from men. The gospel was committed to such weak and erring ministers, with the treasure of love tried in the fire, for this reason, that no man would take to himself or divide with God the honor due to God only, but God would receive all the glory; therefore the ambassador for Christ must not congratulate himself or act as if by his own power he had done the work, for without Christ he can do nothing.
Fallen men are fitted for the work because having been in peril themselves they are acquainted with the dangers and difficulties of others and know the way to reach others in the same peril. Those compassed with infirmity are thus fitted to have compassion on the ignorant and those out of the way. They become a visible connecting link to fasten trembling faith upon Christ.
Excellency of Power Divine
The surpassing power that makes the treasure effective belongs to God and not to those who carry it, for the treasure is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ shining in the heart out of darkness through the gospel. Frail human beings carry this treasure as earthen vessels, and their very weakness shows that the power at work is divine rather than human. That power makes ministry sufficient and fruitful, transforms lives, and sustains believers when they are troubled, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down yet not destroyed. It belongs to a ministry that does not faint, renounces dishonesty and deceit, commends the truth, preaches Christ Jesus the Lord and not self, and serves others for Jesus' sake.
Sufficiency is not in self but in the presence and agency of the Holy Spirit filling the soul and bringing every thought into obedience to Christ. The same Spirit is shown in always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus is made manifest in mortal flesh. By that gracious influence filling the soul the treasure refines, purifies, elevates, and ennobles the receiver and cuts away fleshly lusts. Labor that corresponds with professed truth therefore appears in patience, kindness, courtesy, meekness, and lowliness toward brethren rather than in harshness, severity, and domineering ways.
Human workers may plant and water, but only God gives the increase, for ministers have no grace, holiness, power, or worth of their own. Their ministry is powerful and efficacious only as God makes it so, as He alone touches hearts, frees inquirers from unscriptural superstition and idolatrous views, and reshapes character. God alone makes them vessels of honor and vessels for honorable use, ruling their lives and joining them in cooperation with heavenly agencies and heavenly intelligences. Without Christ they can do nothing, so the power and glory belong to Him and not to the messengers.
Paul's life proved this true to his latest hour, for his sufficiency came from the divine Spirit within him rather than from himself. His endurance, joy, peace, and faithfulness even in the face of execution displayed divine power sustaining him under hardship. The peace of his face won many souls to the gospel.
God works through sick, hoarse, trembling, and physically frail instruments to move hearts, so that hearers feel the Lord has spoken through human weakness. Physical frailty does not prevent His working, and the life spared is to be used for His glory. His purpose is accomplished even when workers suffer affliction and lay down their armor from lack of physical strength and die, as the laying away of Christ did not end His work but was the very life of the cause He had advocated, and the message can retain or gain force beyond the life of the frail instrument who delivered it.
Abilities and talents come from God and are entrusted to people for His service, to be consecrated to Him, and Christ is their efficiency. Those who consecrate their gifts may receive greater abilities. Therefore no one is to boast in own worth or abilities or rely on self.
The gospel and love tried in the fire were committed to weak and erring men for this reason, that no man would take to himself the honor due to God only but God would receive all the glory. The ambassador for Christ must not congratulate himself, take the honor of success to himself, or divide the honor with God as if by his own power he had done the work, for without Christ he can do nothing. All glory belongs to God, and the call is to depend on Christ rather than human ability in ministry.
When the church is loyal to God and obeys His commandments, divine power dwells within it and equips it to proclaim truth and do its work. Even at a time when God's law is made void and Satan actively uses every means to keep truth from the people and hide it, God does not leave His people weak and powerless. He disappoints the enemy by displaying His power through weak, obedient people who love His commandments, so that truth is honored by God and not by human ability.
The heavenly treasure is put in earthen vessels so that God speaks through clay with divine power in prophetic warning. The weak and trembling instrument is aroused from sleep with a vivid sense of subjects previously presented to the mind, rising to write letters at midnight and at three o'clock in the morning. Past, present, and future pass before the mind, faces never seen are shown and later recognized, and a power impels to reprove and rebuke wrongs not thought of. Letters and testimonies so given are not merely human opinion or ideas but what the Lord has presented and opened in vision, precious rays of light shining from the throne, prompted by the Spirit of God to bring before minds things shown, and sent across the continent to arrive at a crisis and save great disaster to the cause of God.
Faithful Service as Vessels
Carrying the treasure means preaching not self but Christ Jesus the Lord and serving others for His sake, renouncing dishonesty, deceit and craftiness while commending the truth, receiving the sacred light to impart it unselfishly to those in the darkness of error to help and bless and save perishing souls. It belongs to a ministry that faints not, that is troubled, perplexed, persecuted and cast down yet not destroyed, bearing about the dying of Jesus so that His life is made manifest in mortal flesh. Those who carry it must stand each in his place to represent the life and character of Jesus and reveal the high and holy character of the church, and they cannot be inactive but must be wholly earnest, with perseverance and untiring energy through grace rewarded with success in carrying the triumphs of the cross to the very gates of the city of God.
Those who carry it must continually study Christ's life, character and manner of teaching as the one unerring Pattern, keeping Him ever before them, learning in His school, practicing His ways and catching His Spirit. They are to copy the same relation He stood in to the Father, which gives power and efficiency and removes imperfection from their work. Labor must correspond with professed truth in patience, kindness, courtesy, meekness and lowliness toward brethren rather than harshness, severity and domineering ways. When ministers come under the full influence of the meekness and lowliness of Christ and grow up into His stature, power attends their labors, and impressions of Christ are stamped on minds and characters by association, working deeper and deeper until they make an abiding place and change the soul after His likeness, making words spirit and life.
This treasure refines, purifies, elevates and ennobles the receiver and cuts away fleshly lusts, and by its gracious influence filling the soul brings every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. With open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, believers are changed into the same image from glory to glory, which is from character to character, and God causes those who carry this treasure always to triumph in Christ and to make manifest the savor of His knowledge in every place. True workers thus formed are not self-centered, do not faint at self-denial, work anywhere in different capacities, take up the work right at hand and do it as for Jesus, and venture to lift the standard of truth in cities and highways.
Hidden with Christ in God, with life hidden with Christ in God so that revealing Christ reveals the Father, carriers confess sins, make right wrongs done to brethren, put away wrong feelings toward them, and prepare for the future life and for the Lord's coming with power and great glory. They refuse to be weighed down and dulled by the cares of this life, keep minds lifted up, and then see the Lord's salvation with hearts full of light, speaking of His love, telling of His power, and revealing Him to all around them. Because weakness is realized there is no reason to exalt self, so self-exaltation and self-interest must be put away, trust placed in Christ as a perfect Saviour whose grace is sufficient, walking in the shadow of the cross of Calvary and reflecting the Redeemer's character, humbling self in the sight of the Lord so He will lift up. Any bright thought, good sermon, or anything good in life, words and teaching comes from God as its Author and from Christ taking possession of the whole heart, not from human smartness, intelligence or goodness, so no glory belongs to self; pride must be emptied out for Christ to dwell fully, and praise for preaching must be refused as a temptation of the devil.
Believers must look beyond the human instrument to Christ, the Life and true Minister of the church who superintends the ministry as the true source of power, for words find lodgment in the heart because the Lord Jesus speaks to hearers through human instrumentality with His energizing presence. The minister is in Christ's stead as undershepherd and ambassador, delegated to preach and practice the Word, to watch for and feed the sheep, and to derive all authority from the great Head of the church, so lasting blessing comes from Christ and not merely from the sparks of another's kindling. Even when a minister's manner of speaking needs improvement God may speak through him, so the minister is to be respected for his work, but glory and the heart's devotion belong to God and the people should look to Jesus rather than exalt the human messenger. No one man is to be made the center by placing many offices upon him, and no worker is to lose his individuality in another's individuality, because to every man his work is given, with one adapted to one line and his fellow fitted to do another line with equal success.
Vessels draw all spiritual nourishment from God as a stream from its fountain and reflect only borrowed luster whose origin is from God, becoming a representative character by looking to the Lord as friend and protector in love and fear of the Lord. As seen in Joseph, when the good seed is sown in good soil it springs up and bears much fruit, unfolding tenderness and virtue that display the mind which was in Christ Jesus, full of compassion that shares in the sorrow of others. They are to carry and diffuse the excellent treasures of truth committed to them as the salt of the earth, drawing men to Christ and not to themselves, going forth to speak to those who have not the light instead of remaining passive, disconnected and without burden for souls. They are to let God's light shine through good works, using time, influence, ability and money to bring truth to people in darkness, which reveals the excellence of God's power and not merely human effort. Those who learn all the truth possible in order to let the light shine forth to others will see many souls in the kingdom as fruit of loving labor, and will realize heavenly treasures that make them more than a millionaire in heaven.
Those given a place in the work must act as responsible servants of God in the light of Christ's self-denying example, with precept and example harmonizing in presenting the gospel, studying every side of important decisions, and refusing worldly fashion and custom in salaries, so that sanitariums are not run like the world and even the medical superintendent does not draw a large salary. Because workers are fragile vessels carrying God's light and treasure in weak human bodies, inexperienced mission workers must not be expected to bear too much, and workers in straining places must get quietness as much as possible. The mind must not be kept on constant strain and the head must not become overtaxed, but there must be periods of rest and quietude, with work, cares and responsibilities lightened, worry and perplexity over things they cannot help refused, and health preserved, so lives are prolonged and future usefulness is protected rather than imperiled to the point of having to stop work altogether. When the Word is presented with stirring power it is the Holy Spirit speaking to men through human agencies, who are only fragile containers holding the treasure, so the convincing effect that moves listeners belongs to God and not to the speakers. When preaching gives a word in season, stirs minds, opens the Scriptures in new light, warms hearts, and comes with power and manifest demonstration of the Spirit, it proves the power is of God and not of man, so personal work must depend on divine wisdom to follow up what God has done.
God has placed the priceless light of knowing His glory in Jesus Christ, which is the gospel itself and Christ dwelling in the heart by faith, inside weak, fallen, erring human beings who have no goodness or power of their own. He deliberately entrusted this work to infirm men who know hardship and temptation rather than to sinless angels or to those admired for wealth, learning, and eloquence, choosing humble and unlearned workers to confound the wise. He did so that the surpassing power that makes the truth effective, changes character, and sustains believers through trouble and persecution will be seen to belong to God and not to men, with all honor given to Him alone. Those who carry it preach not themselves but Christ the Lord, serving others for His sake, studying His life as the unerring Pattern, and laboring in His meekness and kindness rather than in harshness or self-exaltation. Human workers can only plant and water while God gives the increase through His Spirit, so they must not boast in talents or take honor for success to themselves, but humble themselves, look beyond the instrument to Christ, and let His borrowed light shine through them to bless perishing souls.
Treasure and Earthen Vessels
The treasure is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, shining in the human heart out of darkness through the gospel. It is carried in weak human beings so that the surpassing power at work is seen to be God's and not their own. That power sustains them through trouble, confusion, persecution and being cast down, bearing about the dying of Jesus so that His life is made manifest in mortal flesh. It belongs to a ministry that faints not, renounces dishonesty and deceit, commends the truth, and preaches Christ Jesus the Lord and not self. Therefore human ability is not to be boasted in, for abilities and talents are entrusted by God to be consecrated to His service.
That same treasure is the gospel message, the sacred truth and blessing, the divine power and work entrusted to people to preach Christ and lead souls to the cross. It is the sacred light God has given, to be received and believed and then unselfishly imparted to those in the darkness of error to help and bless and save perishing souls. Those who carry it must renounce dishonesty and craftiness, preach Christ and not themselves, stand each in his place to represent the life and character of Jesus, and reveal the high and holy character of the church. They cannot be inactive but must be wholly earnest, and earnestness, perseverance and untiring energy through the grace of Christ will be rewarded with success in carrying the triumphs of the cross to the very gates of the city of God. Those who learn all the truth possible in order to let the light shine forth in good works will see many souls as fruit of loving labor and will realize heavenly treasures that make them more than a millionaire in heaven.
The treasure is also Christ Himself dwelling in the heart by faith, with the Holy Spirit speaking through human preaching, the rich grace of Christ, the burden of the Word, and every bright thought, good sermon and sanctifying influence. Any bright thought, good sermon, or anything good in life, words and teaching comes from God as its Author and from Christ taking possession of the whole heart, not from human smartness, intelligence or goodness, so no glory belongs to self. When the Word is presented with stirring power, stirs minds, opens the Scriptures in new light, warms hearts and comes with manifest demonstration of the Spirit, it is the Holy Spirit speaking to people through fragile containers, and the convincing effect belongs to God and not to the speakers. Without the Spirit and rich grace in the heart the vessel has no treasure, but their presence enables a life of love and unselfish service, enduring trials for truth and sacrificing to help those in need from God's love within. The human speaker is only clay, yet the Lord speaks to the people through clay, and His greatness condescends to human feebleness so that the excellency of the power to portray infinite blessings and bring salvation and redemption within reach is of God and not of the speaker. Pride must therefore be emptied out for Christ to dwell fully, and praise for preaching must be refused.
The earthen vessels are weak, frail, erring, fallen men and women, compassed with infirmity, who have no grace, holiness, power or worth of their own. They are instruments ordained for the salvation of souls, and their ministry is effective only through God's power, for human workers may plant and water but only God gives the increase. God alone makes them vessels of honor, and only by allowing Him to rule their lives can they become fit for honor and succeed in saving souls. Because people are full of weakness there is no reason to exalt self, and self-exaltation and self-interest must be put away, with trust placed in Christ as a perfect Saviour whose grace is sufficient, walking in the shadow of Calvary, reflecting the Redeemer's character, and humbling self so the Lord will lift up.
Though conveyed through imperfect human language and weak human agents, the truth remains from heaven. The Holy Spirit qualifies, guides and prompts those who speak and write, even in their choice of what to say or write. The human means of communication does not make the message merely human, because its source and prompting power are God, and its divine power and glory come from God and not from human ability. Believers who obey and trust God can see in this human testimony the glory of divine power, grace and truth, for God can make His message and warning known through frail messengers and His voice speaks even though He speaks through clay.
God's Word holds heavenly treasure, but worldly and ambitious thoughts keep people spiritually blind from seeing it.
Why Weak Instruments Chosen
God deliberately placed the preaching of the truth in fallen, infirm, weak and erring men rather than giving it to sinless angels who never fell. The treasure is the gospel message of truth and blessing, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and the divine power and work entrusted to them in partnership with Christ, conveyed through them to meet the sinful and needy and lead them to the cross. He entrusts it to those who have themselves felt the redeeming power of Christ's grace sanctifying their own lives and warming their own hearts, with humanity laying hold upon divine power through Christ dwelling in the heart by faith so that the human becomes efficient for good. Christ remains as willing to manifest His power through present imperfect workers as through the first disciples, which encourages belief that the power that helps others as weak as ourselves can help us.
He did not commit it to those admired by the world for wealth, position, authority, genius, learning and eloquence, but to the willing service of men of like passions, compassed with human infirmities and acquainted with poverty, hardship and suffering, who can sympathize with and reach persons of all classes, even the poor and lowly. The vessels are weak, suffering and apparently unattractive men meeting others in the same condition to convey the glorious truth. He places the treasure in weak, unlearned and ignorant carriers and chooses them as teachers because they are willing to learn as well as to teach, so that babes and children in Christ are far in advance of men learned in worldly wisdom in explaining the mysteries of the gospel, while in the last days the greatest scholars, statesmen and eminent men turn from the light because the world by wisdom knows not God.
In particular He chose humble, unlearned fishermen, plain men without worldly cultivation and without training in worldly schools or in the customs and traditions of the rabbis and pronounced ignorant and unlearned by the world, to be His ministers, witnesses and fishers of men. The treasure in them was truths of the highest character concerning the kingdom of God, Christ's own teaching, opening of the Scriptures, works of healing, words, example and sanctifying influence. For three years as workers with the Saviour they were educated in His own school to carry on the work He began and to bear responsibilities of the same kind He bore, by hearing all His words, learning of Him the great Teacher, walking and working with Him, practicing His virtues, and receiving His gifts in simplicity of faith and clean, pure, humble service, gaining an education of the highest order to proclaim truths of the highest order unmingled with human traditions and sophistries. Christ Himself ordained and appointed them by His call to follow Him and by the power of His grace to be His representatives.
He chose the foolish things of the world, the weak and apparently unattractive, to confound the wise men of the world. In this way the excellency of the power is accredited to God and not to men or their superior endowments, and no man is praised, petted and glorified. This arrangement gives all glory, honor and praise to Him who is above all and over all, makes plain His supremacy discerned in the frail instrument, and makes manifest that the great power at work is from God and not from men. The gospel was committed to such weak and erring ministers, with the treasure of love tried in the fire, for this reason, that no man would take to himself or divide with God the honor due to God only, but God would receive all the glory; therefore the ambassador for Christ must not congratulate himself or act as if by his own power he had done the work, for without Christ he can do nothing.
Fallen men are fitted for the work because having been in peril themselves they are acquainted with the dangers and difficulties of others and know the way to reach others in the same peril. Those compassed with infirmity are thus fitted to have compassion on the ignorant and those out of the way. They become a visible connecting link to fasten trembling faith upon Christ.
Excellency of Power Divine
The surpassing power that makes the treasure effective belongs to God and not to those who carry it, for the treasure is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ shining in the heart out of darkness through the gospel. Frail human beings carry this treasure as earthen vessels, and their very weakness shows that the power at work is divine rather than human. That power makes ministry sufficient and fruitful, transforms lives, and sustains believers when they are troubled, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down yet not destroyed. It belongs to a ministry that does not faint, renounces dishonesty and deceit, commends the truth, preaches Christ Jesus the Lord and not self, and serves others for Jesus' sake.
Sufficiency is not in self but in the presence and agency of the Holy Spirit filling the soul and bringing every thought into obedience to Christ. The same Spirit is shown in always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus is made manifest in mortal flesh. By that gracious influence filling the soul the treasure refines, purifies, elevates, and ennobles the receiver and cuts away fleshly lusts. Labor that corresponds with professed truth therefore appears in patience, kindness, courtesy, meekness, and lowliness toward brethren rather than in harshness, severity, and domineering ways.
Human workers may plant and water, but only God gives the increase, for ministers have no grace, holiness, power, or worth of their own. Their ministry is powerful and efficacious only as God makes it so, as He alone touches hearts, frees inquirers from unscriptural superstition and idolatrous views, and reshapes character. God alone makes them vessels of honor and vessels for honorable use, ruling their lives and joining them in cooperation with heavenly agencies and heavenly intelligences. Without Christ they can do nothing, so the power and glory belong to Him and not to the messengers.
Paul's life proved this true to his latest hour, for his sufficiency came from the divine Spirit within him rather than from himself. His endurance, joy, peace, and faithfulness even in the face of execution displayed divine power sustaining him under hardship. The peace of his face won many souls to the gospel.
God works through sick, hoarse, trembling, and physically frail instruments to move hearts, so that hearers feel the Lord has spoken through human weakness. Physical frailty does not prevent His working, and the life spared is to be used for His glory. His purpose is accomplished even when workers suffer affliction and lay down their armor from lack of physical strength and die, as the laying away of Christ did not end His work but was the very life of the cause He had advocated, and the message can retain or gain force beyond the life of the frail instrument who delivered it.
Abilities and talents come from God and are entrusted to people for His service, to be consecrated to Him, and Christ is their efficiency. Those who consecrate their gifts may receive greater abilities. Therefore no one is to boast in own worth or abilities or rely on self.
The gospel and love tried in the fire were committed to weak and erring men for this reason, that no man would take to himself the honor due to God only but God would receive all the glory. The ambassador for Christ must not congratulate himself, take the honor of success to himself, or divide the honor with God as if by his own power he had done the work, for without Christ he can do nothing. All glory belongs to God, and the call is to depend on Christ rather than human ability in ministry.
When the church is loyal to God and obeys His commandments, divine power dwells within it and equips it to proclaim truth and do its work. Even at a time when God's law is made void and Satan actively uses every means to keep truth from the people and hide it, God does not leave His people weak and powerless. He disappoints the enemy by displaying His power through weak, obedient people who love His commandments, so that truth is honored by God and not by human ability.
The heavenly treasure is put in earthen vessels so that God speaks through clay with divine power in prophetic warning. The weak and trembling instrument is aroused from sleep with a vivid sense of subjects previously presented to the mind, rising to write letters at midnight and at three o'clock in the morning. Past, present, and future pass before the mind, faces never seen are shown and later recognized, and a power impels to reprove and rebuke wrongs not thought of. Letters and testimonies so given are not merely human opinion or ideas but what the Lord has presented and opened in vision, precious rays of light shining from the throne, prompted by the Spirit of God to bring before minds things shown, and sent across the continent to arrive at a crisis and save great disaster to the cause of God.
Faithful Service as Vessels
Carrying the treasure means preaching not self but Christ Jesus the Lord and serving others for His sake, renouncing dishonesty, deceit and craftiness while commending the truth, receiving the sacred light to impart it unselfishly to those in the darkness of error to help and bless and save perishing souls. It belongs to a ministry that faints not, that is troubled, perplexed, persecuted and cast down yet not destroyed, bearing about the dying of Jesus so that His life is made manifest in mortal flesh. Those who carry it must stand each in his place to represent the life and character of Jesus and reveal the high and holy character of the church, and they cannot be inactive but must be wholly earnest, with perseverance and untiring energy through grace rewarded with success in carrying the triumphs of the cross to the very gates of the city of God.
Those who carry it must continually study Christ's life, character and manner of teaching as the one unerring Pattern, keeping Him ever before them, learning in His school, practicing His ways and catching His Spirit. They are to copy the same relation He stood in to the Father, which gives power and efficiency and removes imperfection from their work. Labor must correspond with professed truth in patience, kindness, courtesy, meekness and lowliness toward brethren rather than harshness, severity and domineering ways. When ministers come under the full influence of the meekness and lowliness of Christ and grow up into His stature, power attends their labors, and impressions of Christ are stamped on minds and characters by association, working deeper and deeper until they make an abiding place and change the soul after His likeness, making words spirit and life.
This treasure refines, purifies, elevates and ennobles the receiver and cuts away fleshly lusts, and by its gracious influence filling the soul brings every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. With open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, believers are changed into the same image from glory to glory, which is from character to character, and God causes those who carry this treasure always to triumph in Christ and to make manifest the savor of His knowledge in every place. True workers thus formed are not self-centered, do not faint at self-denial, work anywhere in different capacities, take up the work right at hand and do it as for Jesus, and venture to lift the standard of truth in cities and highways.
Hidden with Christ in God, with life hidden with Christ in God so that revealing Christ reveals the Father, carriers confess sins, make right wrongs done to brethren, put away wrong feelings toward them, and prepare for the future life and for the Lord's coming with power and great glory. They refuse to be weighed down and dulled by the cares of this life, keep minds lifted up, and then see the Lord's salvation with hearts full of light, speaking of His love, telling of His power, and revealing Him to all around them. Because weakness is realized there is no reason to exalt self, so self-exaltation and self-interest must be put away, trust placed in Christ as a perfect Saviour whose grace is sufficient, walking in the shadow of the cross of Calvary and reflecting the Redeemer's character, humbling self in the sight of the Lord so He will lift up. Any bright thought, good sermon, or anything good in life, words and teaching comes from God as its Author and from Christ taking possession of the whole heart, not from human smartness, intelligence or goodness, so no glory belongs to self; pride must be emptied out for Christ to dwell fully, and praise for preaching must be refused as a temptation of the devil.
Believers must look beyond the human instrument to Christ, the Life and true Minister of the church who superintends the ministry as the true source of power, for words find lodgment in the heart because the Lord Jesus speaks to hearers through human instrumentality with His energizing presence. The minister is in Christ's stead as undershepherd and ambassador, delegated to preach and practice the Word, to watch for and feed the sheep, and to derive all authority from the great Head of the church, so lasting blessing comes from Christ and not merely from the sparks of another's kindling. Even when a minister's manner of speaking needs improvement God may speak through him, so the minister is to be respected for his work, but glory and the heart's devotion belong to God and the people should look to Jesus rather than exalt the human messenger. No one man is to be made the center by placing many offices upon him, and no worker is to lose his individuality in another's individuality, because to every man his work is given, with one adapted to one line and his fellow fitted to do another line with equal success.
Vessels draw all spiritual nourishment from God as a stream from its fountain and reflect only borrowed luster whose origin is from God, becoming a representative character by looking to the Lord as friend and protector in love and fear of the Lord. As seen in Joseph, when the good seed is sown in good soil it springs up and bears much fruit, unfolding tenderness and virtue that display the mind which was in Christ Jesus, full of compassion that shares in the sorrow of others. They are to carry and diffuse the excellent treasures of truth committed to them as the salt of the earth, drawing men to Christ and not to themselves, going forth to speak to those who have not the light instead of remaining passive, disconnected and without burden for souls. They are to let God's light shine through good works, using time, influence, ability and money to bring truth to people in darkness, which reveals the excellence of God's power and not merely human effort. Those who learn all the truth possible in order to let the light shine forth to others will see many souls in the kingdom as fruit of loving labor, and will realize heavenly treasures that make them more than a millionaire in heaven.
Those given a place in the work must act as responsible servants of God in the light of Christ's self-denying example, with precept and example harmonizing in presenting the gospel, studying every side of important decisions, and refusing worldly fashion and custom in salaries, so that sanitariums are not run like the world and even the medical superintendent does not draw a large salary. Because workers are fragile vessels carrying God's light and treasure in weak human bodies, inexperienced mission workers must not be expected to bear too much, and workers in straining places must get quietness as much as possible. The mind must not be kept on constant strain and the head must not become overtaxed, but there must be periods of rest and quietude, with work, cares and responsibilities lightened, worry and perplexity over things they cannot help refused, and health preserved, so lives are prolonged and future usefulness is protected rather than imperiled to the point of having to stop work altogether. When the Word is presented with stirring power it is the Holy Spirit speaking to men through human agencies, who are only fragile containers holding the treasure, so the convincing effect that moves listeners belongs to God and not to the speakers. When preaching gives a word in season, stirs minds, opens the Scriptures in new light, warms hearts, and comes with power and manifest demonstration of the Spirit, it proves the power is of God and not of man, so personal work must depend on divine wisdom to follow up what God has done.