Day 51: 2nd Corinthians 4-6. Treasure in Clay Jars.
I'll admit it: embedded in these three chapters of 2nd Corinthians are sine if nt favorite verses in the New Testament. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; everything has become new." "For the love of Christ controls us, for we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died." "We have this treasure in clay jars so that the awesome power belongs to God and doesn't come from us." Paul is unleashing persuasive powers on the Corinthians. In his first letter, he admonished them; now he's trying to paint a picture of the riches of the gospel, in order to convince them of the beauty and truth of the message he brings. It seems that Paul still has competition for respect among the Corinthians; he still has to make his case that he ought to be listened to and respected as an apostle. But it also appears that his warnings have borne fruit; he believes that even though h...