5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11
For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’
sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Building on Paul's admonishment to love above all (read yesterday), this love is to be a demonstration of Jesus to others:
10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
What am I willing to give up...something must "die" so Christ can live.
My Prayer: Lord, I KNOW You are alive, Your Spirit lives and it is life-giving and a blessing beyond imagination to me. What a blessing! Yet once more I must recognize that I am not worthy of such love and blessing - it is undeserved. I continue to sin by not leading in my household as You intend me to. Please forgive me Lord Jesus for this weakness. Help me rid this laziness and this sin. Please purify me and transform my heart and my life.
