Sunday Scripture

 

Here's another in my most recent Sunday Scripture series.  I've been posting about my simple study of a little devotional journal titled Reflections: The Woman God Sees., by Jane L. Fryar -- a journal gifted me by some dear young friends   It has a daily devotional one works through -- about a month's worth or so.  It was a blessing to me when I worked through it, so I've been sharing here.  Several readers have told me they're enjoying it, and I'm so thankful for that!

The Scripture for today is 2 Corinthians 4:7.  The assignment states: "Jesus, our Savior, is our treasure.  His forgiveness, compassion, and love are priceless!  We keep this treasure in 'jars of clay' -- our frail, human bodies.  We may think of this as a disadvantage, but what are the benefits?"  I chose to SOAP 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 as I considered this.

S= "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."  (2 Corinthians 4:6-7)

O= The theme of 2 Corinthians is Paul's authority.  C.I. Scofield comments,  "Paul here defends his authority by placing before the church the overwhelming evidence of his sincerity in serving God.  Thus this epistle is very personal and autobiographical."

Scofield calls 2 Corinthians chapter 1:12 through chapter 7:16 "Paul's principles of action in his ministry.  Here are the principles:

1) The ministry is triumphant (2:14-17)
2) The ministry is accredited (3:1-5)
3) The ministry is spiritual and glorious, not legal (3:6-10)
4) The ministry is honest, not deceitful
    * Because the truth taught is commended by the life (4:2)
    * Because not self but Christ Jesus as Lord is preached (4:3-6)
    * Because the power is of God (4:7)
5) The ministry involves suffering (4:8-18)
6) The ministry has this as its ambition -- "we labor to be well pleasing to Him" (5:9)
7) The ministry has moving motives (5:11-21)
8) The ministry is supernatural (6:1-10)

 Cross-reference for "commanded the light" -- "And God said, Let there be light: And there was light."  (Genesis 1:3)

Cross-reference for "shone" -- "We have also a more sure word of prophecy, unto which ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." (2 Peter 1:19)

Cross-reference for "and not of us" -- "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God."  (2 Corinthians 3:5) 

A= God, the all-powerful One who commanded "Let there be light!" and there was light -- shone His light into our hearts to "give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

We have this treasure in earthen vessels -- jars of clay -- so that His light will be seen through us.  Others can also see His strength as it is made perfect in our weaknesses. (2 Corinthians 12:9)  

 In answer to the question "We keep this treasure in 'jars of clay' -- our frail, human bodies.  We may think of this as a disadvantage, but what are the benefits?" I wrote:

Any power or strength -- in fact, any good thing at all that is seen in me -- is from Him.  When difficulties come in our lives, it is His power that is seen.

Concerning the verse "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God."  (2 Corinthians 3:5),  I wrote:

I love this verse!  My sufficiency is of God!  There are so many ways in which I am insufficient in and of myself, but I am sufficient in Him, and that is what others need to see.

P= "Lord, what amazing truths are presented in these verses!  I am so incredibly thankful that You chose to shine Your glorious gospel light into my heart!  I praise You that You planned for us to have this treasure of Your Son in these earthly bodies -- jars of clay -- so that His light may be seen through us.  I pray You will help me be conscious of this every day.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

There is the Sunday Scripture for this week!