The purpose of the earthen vessels
We looked at why God chose to put his treasure in the earthen vessel. God deliberately chose the earthen vessel. He does not want any man to glory in his presence; essentially everyone that will be used by God will have no basis to glory in their ability or wisdom but will glory in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:7
The above verse makes it clear that God desires all glory to be His. That no one would be able to take the glory.
This vessel symbolizes humans, and we play strategic roles in projecting redemption and kingdom advancement. Technically, it is why God will place his riches in any man. The treasure symbolizes the surpassing power of God; however, as powerful as that is, God decides to place it in fragile, weak vessels.
The purpose of the earthen vessels is:
To showcase God’s power (2 Corinthians 4:7)
Paul highlights that earthen vessels serve to demonstrate God’s power and strength. And this is surprising because it’s something that is ordinary that God puts his treasure into. He’s using that to give expression to his wisdom and glory. It’s a paradox: something weak is used to express God’s power. That expression alone is a clear testament and an attempt by God to demonstrate his all-powerful nature. The demonstration of God’s grace using this treasure demonstrates how God uses the weak things of this world to display his glory. Never forget that God’s purpose in using you as a vessel at any given time is to demonstrate his power.
That something glorious is contained in something ordinary, just as something supernatural is contained in the natural. What can transform life is trapped and contained in mortal men.
God is doing this to display and demonstrate his strength. This is to say that God can use anybody or anything. And the reason is for him to claim the glory. So that the world would know that he is capable of doing far more than we can dream or fathom, based on the power that works inside us. Sometimes we are an excellent illustration of what God is doing through us. What we say at times reflects the depth of our insight and revelation. Sometimes we don’t think about what to say, and we suddenly receive an utterance. It is the treasure that God has placed within us.
Never lose sight of the fact that everything God does through you is a demonstration of his power. The implication of that is that it should humble us.
When you consider what God does via mortal beings, and the actions of divinity in humanity, it should humble us.
2 Timothy 2:20-21 KJV
[20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
The phrase “vessel unto honor” refers to a tool in God’s hand that brings glory to God. And the term “sanctified” is to be set apart. The word “meet” means fit, useful.
It is amazing how God in his wisdom can use a mortal man in fulfilling his agenda. God has an agenda to carry out, yet he is not using an angel; he chooses to use a man. Despite our limitations, God still chooses to use us instead of angels. Angels can’t preach the gospel. They do not have a ministry. They are powerful, but they do not have the mandate. His treasure is not in angels, it’s still in mortal men. That should make us humble.
There is a peculiar story of Lazarus and the rich man. When the rich man died and went to hell, he requested that someone be sent from heaven to earth to preach to mankind, but this request was denied because God relies on mortal men to deliver the gospel despite our fragility and flaws.
This is the only way to appreciate God’s hand on your life. Sometimes you believe you are not qualified for the assignment, but the truth is that God has no other option. You are the chosen one. You are the one who needs to complete the assignment. Angels can cover nations in seconds, so why isn’t God utilizing them?
You are significant to the plan of God, but don’t get carried away and forget you are just a mortal. His throne, royal garment, and oratory, brilliant mind was not the problem. All he had to do was declare that he is mortal and God alone deserves the glory.
Acts 12:22-23
You will come up with a solution and you would think they want to worship you. You will find yourself in situations where the results will be spectacular.
The psalmist understood that he was a wonder to many.
Psalms 71:7 I am a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge (KJV).
You cannot take the strong refuge out of context. You are a solution to many. God is not intimidated by what you will produce in your workplace. However, you are the one who should be humble before Him. The world can applaud you, but it is your obligation to return to your closet and honor God. Pour it on him. It is your duty. You are the one who should give Him glory. He has an agenda and intends to use vessels. This is why He wants to take the glory. The goal of this treasure in us is to honor Him. We will be vessels for many. We must bring Him honor. Anything beyond that is a problem. We must be smart and sensitive, returning the glory to Him. Even when they give it to us, we must be careful not to collect it.
We are earthen clays and earthen vessels. If not for this treasure this earthen vessel would be useless, a vessel unto dishonour. will be a vessel that no one wants to associate with. Our friends and acquaintances who eventually are holding prestigious offices leading a ministry, are transformed. This is as a result of the honor of God.
Hebrews 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron (KJV).
Aaron did not accept it. He was honored and given. No king crowns himself. There is no history of such a man.
There is something called the honour of God that God placed on men. This is a treasure. He makes men who are nobody and places them on a pedestal for all to see and hear. There’s a distinction between “low background” and “no background.” The former performs better than the latter. The reason your back is on the ground is not due to your background. God can use either of the two. There are people who do not have backgrounds. Typical examples of this are Pastors and preachers. They become transformed. God’s dealings are evident in their lives. When the rulers and Pharisees observed Peter and John’s courage, despite their flaws and inadequacies. When the treasure meets such vulnerabilities, men are transformed.
There are uneducated preachers who appear to be enlightened and exposed as a result of this treasure. Many people appear to be older than their actual age due to a lack of exposure. God pulled us out not by our education, but through His might. There are those who are educated but not exposed. God’s glory rises and shines on us. Many of us do not cherish what God has placed within us; we are unaware of what God has rescued us from. This is what God intends to do with his treasure in us. He wants to turn us into a symbol; he wants to display and showcase himself
Knowing the Lord brings serenity even when we don’t have everything we want. We are still in amazement of what God has accomplished. We know that we are enjoying his mercy. No man should glory in his presence.
If it were not for his treasure in us, this earthen vessel would be useless. It’s the treasure in us that makes the difference. God didn’t put his treasure in us without a purpose. The purpose is for us to be an instrument for him in advancing his kingdom.
God is not done with us yet. He’s still working for us. His glory is yet to unfold fully.