Treasure in Weak Vessels
We have this treasure in jars of clay.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:7
+
Treasure in Weak Vessels
Satan is raging so ferociously, filling everything with turmoil and scandals, and stirring up the whole world against us. Therefore someone may say that it would have been better to be silent [about the doctrine of justification], and that then none of these evils would have arisen. We ought to set greater store by the favor of God, whose glory we proclaim, than by the rage of the world, which persecutes us. For what are the pope and the whole world in comparison with God, whom we surely should praise and to whom we should give preference over all creatures? In addition, the wicked increase the uproar and the scandals which Satan arouses in order to crush or at least to distort our teaching. We, on the other hand, emphasize the comfort and the inestimable fruit of this doctrine; this we vastly prefer to all those turmoils, sects, and scandals. We, of course, are small and weak; and we are carrying a heavenly treasure in earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7). But though the vessels may be weak, the treasure is infinite and incomprehensible.
From Lectures on Galatians (1535) (Luther's Works 27:19)
2 CORINTHIANS 4:7
+
Treasure in Weak Vessels
Satan is raging so ferociously, filling everything with turmoil and scandals, and stirring up the whole world against us. Therefore someone may say that it would have been better to be silent [about the doctrine of justification], and that then none of these evils would have arisen. We ought to set greater store by the favor of God, whose glory we proclaim, than by the rage of the world, which persecutes us. For what are the pope and the whole world in comparison with God, whom we surely should praise and to whom we should give preference over all creatures? In addition, the wicked increase the uproar and the scandals which Satan arouses in order to crush or at least to distort our teaching. We, on the other hand, emphasize the comfort and the inestimable fruit of this doctrine; this we vastly prefer to all those turmoils, sects, and scandals. We, of course, are small and weak; and we are carrying a heavenly treasure in earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7). But though the vessels may be weak, the treasure is infinite and incomprehensible.
From Lectures on Galatians (1535) (Luther's Works 27:19)
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2022
January
In One SpiritHe is ComingA Light for the NationsDepart in PeaceThe BenedictionWise Men SeeTrusting in the EmptinessWilted BlossomsConceiving TroubleWhat Comfort?SolaceWorn OutTorn With WrathLike a WarriorA Pure PrayerHeavenly WitnessA Ready GraveA Pledge for YouA Byword of the PeoplesHold OnNight into DayWhere is My Hope?Into the DustHunting for WordsOur Own FlameCaught in a TrapDeath ConsumesTo Know GodMy ErrorsNo JusticeHe Has Taken the Crown
February
No AnswerForsakenRock BottomRedemption!The Root of the MatterDo You Not Know?Fly AwayBittersweetUpon the RiversConstant CravingsBurning AngerEnduring WitnessesGod’s PortionKeep ListeningThe Rod of GodIs Not Their Prosperity in Their Hand?The Lamp of the WickedEqualizationThe House of the PrinceEmpty NothingsProfitable to GodOutward AppearancesWater Covers YouWhat Does God Know?Foundations Washed AwayConsumed by the FireGold and SilverLife Up Your Face to God
March
He Saves the LowlyBitter ComplaintsOur CaseIn the Greatness of His PowerFaithful EyesUnchangeableNo Fear of the DarknessTimes of JudgementGleaning the VineyardThe Soul of the WoundedRebelling Against the LightMorningBroken TreesBrought Low and Gathered UpPeace in the High HeavensA Dimming MoonEnough!Sheol and AbaddonThe Boundary Between Light and DarknessFleeing SerpentMy Bitter SoulAltogether VainDust and SilverReaping the WhirlwindAn End to DarknessThe Hidden ThingsTrue WisdomThe Place of UnderstandingBehold, the Fear of the LordDays Gone ByTo Be Called Blessed