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The treasure that Paul writes about here is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The life changing power of the Gospel is the only hope for any person and the only hope for this fallen world! The treasure of the Gospel is placed in earthen vessels to prove and illustrate that the power is of God and not of the vessel. The treasure is placed in vessels that are insufficient, but God makes them sufficient by His power. This is to show that the excellence of the power is of God and not of us. The weaker the vessel the more of an opportunity God is given to show forth His power. That is why Paul boasts in his infirmities and weaknesses. These earthen vessels are hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down! But by the power of God are kept from being crushed, in despair, forsaken, and destroyed! God allows His earthen vessels to go through this so the work of refinement and sanctification may be done in their lives. The Christian is also always dying through repentance and always delivered to death for Jesus sake through consecration. It is through repentance and consecration that the work of sanctification takes place in the life of the Christian. This is how one receives life. This is how they become like Christ and become like Him in the resurrection. The only way one can persevere in these things is through faith. The ultimate purpose is for others and for the glory of God. We must not lose heart. If one loses faith they will focus only on the outward man that is perishing and will lose sight of the inward man that is being renewed day by day. By faith we see that our affliction is light and for a moment compared to the exceeding and eternal weight of glory!

Click here to listen: The Weight of Glory'