But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12
This is the path of the mature follower of Jesus Christ. Each of these devastating actions if not met with the Presence of the Holy Spirit, which is allowed to minister to your soul within those states, can lead to devastating results. You can end up feeling crushed, filled with despair, told you are forsaken, and eventually your soul is destroyed emotionally. Our physical status really is housed in just a ‘jar of clay’ / ie. dirt! The physical body withers quickly and is subject to Adam’s curse, and eventually will become ‘dirt’ again. In the eternal scope our physical life is but a breath. So what are the spiritual steps through this inevitable path? Paul goes on to describe the paradox of carrying the ‘death of Jesus’ in our bodies so that His life might be manifested in us. We are constantly giving ourselves over to ‘death’ for Jesus so that His life might be displayed in our mortal flesh. This is what I call the TC2 life, terminally committed to Christ. Reminding myself EVERY morning this new day is no longer mine but His. Submitting again and again to His will and way. Asking Him to take the lead, and me being aware of His voice and direction, moment by moment. This is NOT easy. It takes tremendous discipline and focus on Him – throughout your entire day. This is why Paul calls for you to have a life of non-ending prayer.
The battlefield and fight is real. The enemy of our soul is constantly working at getting you off His path. Temptation, guilt, shame, accusation, and every other wicked thing is thrown at you to hinder the ‘light’ that He has placed in you. This constant barrage is tiresome and can emerge through many sources and ways you never expected. Their goal? To get you to ‘agree’ with them. And if they get that agreement from you, they are allowed to take the persecution to the next level. Don’t agree with the enemies of God!
Can you hear Him when you are under that terrible barrage of attack? Do you have the commitment to make it ‘through’? Sometimes it is that commitment is all that remains when the body and soul is on its last breath. His life is ONLY the ‘treasure’ in this ‘jar of clay’. His life within me is my ONLY hope.
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 1 Corinthians 15:19
And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure. 1 John 3:3
Father – I kneel before You. Thank you for Jesus. I surrender. I submit. I acknowledge I need You! I need Your Holy Spirit – just to make it through. Help me stay committed to YOU! You have the strength that seems so lacking in my life. Inject Your faith into my soul. You are my life, for I die to my life and surrender every minute, hour, and day to be Yours from this point forward.