II Corinthians 4

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (v7).  Paul explained that God’s way of working in us and through us often follows the pattern of Jesus himself.  “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 may also be manifested in our bodies” (v8-10). 

“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord” (v5). As we remain faithful through difficult circumstances, Jesus’ light shines clearly through our vulnerable, fragile, and imperfect lives.