Day 6 – 2 Corinthians 4:1-7

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;^[1]

Have we “renounced the hidden things because of shame?” How often have we struggled to get over and past those things that once characterized our lives? How often have we been consumed with guilt because we failed to live up to the faith we espouse? We renounce these “hidden things,” but we have yet to get past them because we are merely “earthen vessels.” The Apostle Paul continues to plead his case to the church in Corinth not denying the reality of his past but also not allowing it to become a reason why his preaching should not be received. These verses reveal that our generation of believers is not the first to hold an individual’s past against them. God uses flawed people like Paul, like you and me. He uses them because they recognize they can do nothing apart from God.

Paul was well aware of his past, and he was accustomed to having to defend himself and the gospel he preached. It is hard to minister at any time but especially under a veil of accusation and suspicion. Paul could have gotten frustrated and angry but instead confronts the attack honestly refuting any allusion to adulterating the Word of God, and then He strikes back saying that if any are unable or unwilling to receive his messages it is because the enemy has blinded their minds so they cannot see. Then comes the finale that we should never forget, he, and we like him, are just vessels of clay. Any good that comes out of us comes from God so that he will ever get the glory and none will come to us.

O heavenly Father, we glory in Your majesty and marvel how You can use earthen vessels like us. We are flawed, cracked pots needing to go back to the potter’s wheel for reconstruction and yet You deign to use us anyway. For give us for taking any glory for ourselves. Forgive us for implying that anything we have accomplished in life is as a result of our skill or intellect. Help us this day to humble ourselves in Your sight so that in all things and in all places You might get the honor, the glory, and the praise. Amen.

^[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), 2 Co 4:1–7.