Himalayan Heights: 2 Corinthians 4-5
All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.
Today's Reading: 2 Corinthians 4-5
Today's focus passage is 2 Corinthians 4:7-15. Read the entire 2 chapters, if you can, but meditate on this section.
7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9 we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 10 We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’s sake, so that Jesus’s life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life in you. 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak. 14 For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you. 15 Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God.
Through the Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 1-2, Luke 13:22–14:11, Psalm 50:4–10, Proverbs 11:13-14
If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.
Devotional: True Self-Image
We hear a lot about self-image and self-esteem today; we are told that to be healthy, we must must esteem ourselves highly and promote ourselves. The Bible gives a slightly different view. It esteems Christ and tells us that we find our worth and value in him.
Paul's powerful description of humanity in verse 7 defines our worth perfectly. It is both humbling and elevating. He describes us as jars of clay - common and having little value. Our value comes because of the treasure that we contain, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. All human beings are valuable because we were made in the image of God and there is worth and dignity because of that, but our true value comes when we trust Jesus Christ and we become vessels bearing the glory of God.
Imagine a plain pine box, made of cheap scrap wood found in a refuse pile. It has little value or beauty in and of itself. That is what we have become as sinful and fallen human beings because we have turned our backs on God and embraced sin. We are jars of clay, plain pine boxes - made of little eternal value by sin.
Now, imagine that same plain pine box filled with diamonds. Suddenly, it becomes greatly desirable because of the treasure it contains. We are jars of clay filled with the treasure of Christ and that gives us infinite worth and value.
Sufferings and trials become endurable because of the treasure of Christ in us. Whatever trials come our way, we know that the one who died for us lives in us and through us and gives us joy and hope.
We do not so much need self-esteem as we need Christ-esteem. It is Christ in us that gives us worth and value and hope forever!
Paul's powerful description of humanity in verse 7 defines our worth perfectly. It is both humbling and elevating. He describes us as jars of clay - common and having little value. Our value comes because of the treasure that we contain, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. All human beings are valuable because we were made in the image of God and there is worth and dignity because of that, but our true value comes when we trust Jesus Christ and we become vessels bearing the glory of God.
Imagine a plain pine box, made of cheap scrap wood found in a refuse pile. It has little value or beauty in and of itself. That is what we have become as sinful and fallen human beings because we have turned our backs on God and embraced sin. We are jars of clay, plain pine boxes - made of little eternal value by sin.
Now, imagine that same plain pine box filled with diamonds. Suddenly, it becomes greatly desirable because of the treasure it contains. We are jars of clay filled with the treasure of Christ and that gives us infinite worth and value.
Sufferings and trials become endurable because of the treasure of Christ in us. Whatever trials come our way, we know that the one who died for us lives in us and through us and gives us joy and hope.
We do not so much need self-esteem as we need Christ-esteem. It is Christ in us that gives us worth and value and hope forever!
I thank you, Father, for the treasure of Christ in me.
Think and Pray:
Consider the treasures of Christ in you!
Do you get down on yourself and your failures? Remember, it is not you, but the Christ in you that is your worth, your hope!
Do you get down on yourself and your failures? Remember, it is not you, but the Christ in you that is your worth, your hope!
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