Q2. (2 Corinthians 4:5-12) Why does a believer’s suffering make his or her witness more credible to the world? Why do you think Paul contrasts “jars of clay” with “all-surpassing power”? What is the “treasure” that is contained within us? How does this differ from the New Age truism of “believe in yourself”?
I think that when we suffer in Christ and we respond as he would in any of the fruits of the Spirit (love joy, peace,patience, kindness ,goodness or self control )people will wonder what is going on. This is not of ourselves. Some will recognize thatt there is something different about us and will be drawn to Christ. Of course some will think we are crazy!?
I think Paul contrasts jars of clay (meaning us) and all surpassing power (meaning Christ) to show a picture of who we are. We are a plain container, he is the true essence of life, love and power. One day his glory will be revealed in us. I read this bible study this am and then took a nap. I woke up with a song I learned growing up. As a kid being raised in the Catholic Church I found the mass boring because to me it was so repetitive. But frequently the icing on the cake was that we had an elderly woman that would play the organ and sing. Over and over and over we would hear the song "in earthen vessels" Here voice was, we'll, ahem.... old!?BUT it stuck in my heart!!!! I was laughing to myself and smiling to the Lord this morning saying to him that I guess he wanted me to learn that one! Here is the lyrics. It is quite good.
Earthen Vessels Lyrics
by John Foley S.j.We hold a treasure, not made of gold,
In earthen vessels, wealth untold,
One treasure only: the Lord, the Christ,
In earthen vessels.
1...Light has shone in our darkness:
God has shown in our heart,
With the light of the glory
of Jesus, the Lord.
2... He has chosen the lowly,
who are small in this world;
In his weakness is glory,
in Jesus the Lord.
Last question. How does that differ from "believe in yourself"? Ha! We cannot do anything good in this world that has lasting value except we do it in him. Our "power" is useless! It always fails and backfires on us.