Treasure

I want to piggy-back off the last blog I wrote on 'Rewards' and dive a little deeper on the treasure we have in Jesus and Him alone. In 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 Paul writes, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." This treasure IN jars of clay. What does that mean? It's actually quite simple... Jesus is the treasure, we are the jars of clay. Jesus living IN average and ordinary people. Jesus is IN us and if Jesus is IN us, we are capable of extraordinary things. In fact, 'all-surpassing power' in the Greek means extremely extraordinary or surpassing excellence.

So, Jesus lives IN average, ordinary people. But because Jesus lives IN us, we become extremely extraordinary or surpassing in excellence because He is IN us. We now have power in the name of Christ. Therefore, we are able to conquer any trial, hardship, discouragement, shame, or any other struggle that the devil throws our way. We may be struck down, but we are not destroyed. And this concept is what people need to understand because trusting in Jesus does not make life perfect. In fact, if we sell people on the idea that Jesus makes life perfect, then when their life falls apart, so will their faith. Jesus gives us the ability to endure any circumstance because in His power we have strength. The reward is the life of no fear, living in peace and hope, knowing that Christ has conquered all things! Jesus brings Heaven to Earth! Our reward is the best life now, His life living through us!