"We have this treasure," the apostle continued, "in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." God could have proclaimed His truth through sinless angels, but this is not His plan.He chooses human beings, men compassed with infirmity, as instruments in the working out of His designs.The priceless treasure is placed in earthen vessels.Through men His blessings are to be conveyed to the world.Through them His glory is to shine forth into the darkness of sin.In loving ministry they are to meet the sinful and the needy, and lead them to the cross.And in all their work they are to ascribe glory, honor, and praise to Him who is above all and over all.
Referring to his own experience, Paul showed that in choosing the service of Christ he had not been prompted by selfish motives, for his pathway had been beset by trial and temptation."We are troubled on every side," he wrote, "yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body."Paul reminded his brethren that as Christ's messengers he and his fellow laborers were continually in peril.The hardships they endured were wearing away their strength."We which live," he wrote, "are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.So then death worketh in us, but life in you." Suffering physically through privation and toil, these ministers of Christ were conforming to His death.But that which was working death in them was bringing spiritual life and health to the Corinthians, who by a belief in the truth were being made partakers of life eternal.In view of this, the followers of Jesus were to be careful not to increase, by neglect and disaffection, the burdens and trials of the laborers.
"We having the same spirit of faith," Paul continued, "according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak." Fully convinced of the reality of the truth entrusted to him, nothing could induce Paul to handle the word of God deceitfully or to conceal the convictions of his soul.He would not purchase wealth, honor, or pleasure by conformity to the opinions of the world.Though in constant danger of martyrdom for the faith that he had preached to the Corinthians, he was not intimidated, for he knew that He who had died and risen again would raise him from the grave and present him to the Father.
"All things are for your sakes," he said, "that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God." Not for self-aggrandizement did the apostles preach the gospel.It was the hope of saving souls that led them to devote their lives to this work.And it was this hope that kept them from ceasing their efforts because of threatened danger or actual suffering.
