EARTHEN VESSELS
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels…”
2 Corinthians 4:7
One of the characteristics of an earthen vessel that it is an enclosed space, and in this space, in a believer, is supposedly the glory of God and the greatness of the gospel. How can such infinite treasures be contained in such a finite vessel? The answer, of course, is that it cannot. An enclosed vessel is only able to hold that which the confines of the vessel will contain and anything else will just be excluded.
But if the container is left opened then it can conceivably contain much more and what it cannot hold at least may pass through it. So, by opening the vessel it becomes much less finite and potentially more versatile in its use.
We are unable to comprehend all of the glory of God; incapable of understanding all of the greatness of the gospel in any manner, especially if we are unwilling to open our minds to the possibilities of what it all entails. If we only accept what our five senses receive and our experience perceives then we will never fully understand and receive all that may be waiting for us. That may be why the Psalmist says:
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things…
(Psalm 119:18)
And why it tells us in Revelation:
He who has an ear, let him hear [open your ears] to what the Spirit says…
(Revelation 2:7)
If we are unwilling to open our eyes and ears to what is out there, beyond our own experience, how can we possibly:
Set [our] mind on things above, and not on things on the earth.
(Colossians 3:2)
And:
…love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your strength, and with all your mind…
(Luke 10:27)
If we remain merely closed earthen vessels, there remains no room for anything other than earthly concerns. If, however, we are to experience God’s grace and the goodness of the gospel we must always have open eyes, open ears, and open minds and never remain just a closed earthen vessel.
It is something to keep thinking about.
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