We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.(2 Corinthians 4:7)

I want you to consider the following statement, “it takes great humility to carry the power of God.”  It is such a basic statement that most of you nodded in agreement and said “amen” as soon as you heard it, and yet most of us do not have that humility of heart.

We must be continually in His voice.  Distractions do come and it takes a humble heart to recognize what God is saying in order to remain in that place of His presence and purpose.

Humility demands that we listen more than we speak.  There are so many people speaking without listening first.  They overstep themselves in God’s sight because they suggest they are speaking for Him when they have not heard His voice.

There are those that are steeped in rules and tradition which for them is a substitute for taking the time to listen.  They have an idea of the religious life and follow what they think is good religion but never come close to the place of God’s presence.

In order to have this treasure in our hearts, which is an all-surpassing power, we must come to the place of Jesus being present with us daily.  When we spend time in the power of God we become the power of God to everyone we come in contact with.  When the power of God’s transmits from my heart I can operate to the fullness of God in the world around me on every occasion.

This power is not from me nor does it originate from any idea of men, but is given to me because I accept the orthodoxy of the work of Jesus on the cross.  Did you know that the cross was a divine idea meant to set you free?

I must not add to that orthodoxy of the cross nor take away from it, but I must accept it as it is presented to me in the scriptures, and this is challenging for me because the word of God chops at my human pride.  I must accept the word as a humble servant so that it might begin to work the great power in my life.

The word of God is the foundation of my Christian faith and when I adhere to it, it has a way of liberating and setting me free.  By His all surpassing word the voice of God speaks and washes away my sin.  All the filth of this world fades from my life and His eternal working grabs the deepest parts of my brokenness and a new foundation of hope, love and peace is built upon the ruins of my life.

And then in the place of the new man, founded on Christ a new power of God’s spirit begins to move out from me.  I am baptized afresh by the glory of God and new seedlings go out from me and enter the soils of the lives of other broken men and women.  They are drawn to their Creator the same as I was drawn.

This power and faith operates inside of me and moves out from me and blesses the hearts of all who would be blessed by it.  Many will be trapped by human philosophy and pride.  They will continue the argument about who is right and who is wrong with God until they pass from this life, but my prayer for you is that you will grab hold of this faith and allow it to transform your nature so that you too will have this power in a jar of clay.