An Instrument of His Pleasure
"This treasure we possess in earthen vessels, to make it clear that its surpassing power comes from God and not from us." (2 Cor 4:7) What is this treasure that Paul speaks of and who or what are the earthen vessels? Paul speaks of unbelieving minds that have been blinded by the god of the present age that they do not see the splendor of the gospel showing forth the glory of Christ, the image of God. In Heb 1:3, "This Son is the reflection of the Father's glory, the exact representation of the Father's being, and he sustains all things by his powerful Word."
We have been commissioned by Christ along with a mandate to preach His gospel to the ends of the earth. We are his vessels, but as mere mortals it takes more than that of ourselves to contend with any opposition we may face. "Our battle is not against human forces but against the principalities and powers, rulers of this world of darkness, and the evil spirits in regions above." (Eph 6;12) Baptism is our initiation into the family of God. Thereby, we become his children and our bodies as his temple of the Holy Spirit. God deems his children holy. That does not necessarily mean we act, feel, or even realize that we are holy. (1 Cor 3)
"For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts, that we in turn might make known the glory of God shining on the face of Christ." (2 Cor 4:7) I am deemed holy but am I walking in holiness? Does my life truly reflect his glory through me? As a Christian I am not immune from sinning, but I am a "redeemed sinner!" In spite of myself, Christ Jesus died in his love for me while I was yet a sinner. I am a new creation, a neophyte, through an act of faith in obedience through the rite of Baptism. I am now a partaker of the divine nature as God's child and a co-heir in Christ. I am called to live a supernatural life! I now share in the priesthood, prophetic office, and kingship of Christ. I am now eternally alive. Yet, I must live and persevere to my earthly demise, to fulfill the demands of my baptism.
The gospel of Jesus Christ must not be simply be proclaimed but witnessed with the love of God. "Love covers a multitude of sins." Can my testimony of Christ shine so brightly that its glory outshines my sins, defects, and weaknesses! Is this not the effect of God's love, through his mercy for humanity, that he chose us and not angels! "For such a mission as this, is anyone really qualified?" In responding to this mission, God has empowered us not to simply contend with evil but conquer and destroy. "It was to destroy the devil's works that the Son of God revealed himself." (1 Jn 3:8) "Behold, I give you authority over all the power of the enemy. "You shall tread upon snakes and scorpions and trample down the lion and the dragon and nothing likewise shall harm you."
"Without faith it is impossible to please God." God has apportioned "the measure of faith" according to each of His children's designs. Everyone is on a different spiritual level in life. "We are truly his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to lead the life of good deeds which God prepared for us in advance." (Eph 2:10) Faith develops and grows but must be expressed through love or looses its merit. People are in need of hope but is my conviction so great that you can believe me for this hope? When I speak of Christ, is it in love with such conviction that my life reflects the glory of God with displays of His power? Do the heavenly realities become more desirable than that of earth? Remember, you cannot attract what you dislike! People are natural observers of human behavior especially in adverse situations. Life is a drama with its tragedies and comedies. What is my disposition and attitude a reflection of?
I carry within myself the passion of Christ's cross and the power of His resurrection. My body thus is to become a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him, my spiritual worship. I am called to be a generous distibutor of God's manifold graces, His ambassador on this earth. Within this earthen vessel resides the Lord Jesus Christ and our Father along with the Holy Spirit. I am not merely mortal, but a partaker of the divine nature in Christ Jesus by God's will to live a supernatural life. I am His pleasure, a beloved child of God.