Queen Elizabeth visited one of her courtiers. As she wandered through his castle, the acid-tongued monarch commented on the discrepancy of his habitation vis á vis his position in her administration. The quick-witted courtier replied that the house remained big enough for him; she had simply elevated him to a position larger than the house. Abigail, 141
The same is true of our body vis á vis the spiritual treasure within it—the vast “treasure in jars of clay” II Corinthians 4:7. Even now it means, in Paul’s words, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” II Corinthians 4:8-9. While the task of discipleship remains far more difficult than our flesh can stand, God’s Spirit empowers his service. Even now, in our fallen personal, but recovered, state. Even now, in a culture hostile to Christ’s very name. Even now, facing societal animus that menaces every Christ-centered message. Even now...the honor with which our Master endows us enlarges our capacity for spiritual service. Indeed, it doesn’t take a docile, patient, interested audience to make Christ-honoring faith possible and powerful! And that’s just the beginning. For in a time past the present, past death, past judgment and past flesh and blood, God will re-fashion our body to equality with our state as his eternal servants: desires and destiny the same, aspirations and actions, purpose and practice, canons and conduct seamless, indivisible. Even now...repeat both words until you BELIEVE...even now...all this because “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” John 4:4. Amen.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
April 2024
Categories
All
|