Death to Life

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

 ⁸ we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 

⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 

¹⁰ always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 

¹¹ For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 

¹² So death works in us, but life in you.

I absolutely LOVE these verses...and when I was taught, back in 2007, that "this treasure in earthen vessel" is actually Jesus...living IN ME...WOW, it rocked and changed my world! He is my Treasure!

Verses 8-10 say "we are..." "YET/BUT NOT". Because of the Treasure in me, Who is the Power of God, I am but I am not!

Frank Viola said, "When the vessel is broken the fragrance of Christ pours forth."

This is a spiritual brokenness. A "coming to the end of your own resources" brokenness. An "I can't!" brokenness. An "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired" brokenness. 

"He implants the life of the Cross in our souls. The method by which God will work it all out is that death will bring forth life."- Warren Litzman

Through us (our physical body and our soul-mind, will and emotions) the life of Jesus is manifested (revealed and expressed). He lives in and through us, as us. 

Don't think of your suffering as something to just get through, think of it as an opportunity for God to be...well...God. To be Himself to you and in you...and through you to others. 

v. 12 So then death (your suffering, circumstances, situations...whatever it may be) is working in "you" but life to others. 

Believer, child of God- YOU ARE AN EXPRESSION of the Life of Christ.