What Does the Vessel of Clay Hide?

What Does the Vessel of Clay Hide?

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” 1 Cor. 4:7.

Our body is indeed a vessel of clay. It is made out of the dust of the earth and is nourished by what grows up from the earth. But now the question is: What does this vessel contain? Paul had a rich treasure from God in this vessel. Nevertheless, Paul’s body remained a vessel of clay that was subject to corruption, regardless of how rich the treasure was. Most people saw only the vessel and showed no respect for the treasure that was in it. They simply regarded him as a man just like they were; they did not have a sense for anything more.

Jesus suffered the same treatment. The Scriptures tell us that the rulers of this world crucified the Lord of glory. All they saw was the vessel of clay, and when Jesus said that He was the Son of God who would raise up those who believed in Him, they asked, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?” John 6:42; 8:53. They did not realize that the content of the vessel was important, and not the vessel itself, for the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him bodily. Col. 1:19; 2:10.

The vessel of clay has always been like a cover over the glorious treasure from God, and the saints have been despised by those who have no sense for this treasure. Just like Jesus, the saints have always been asked this question with contempt when they gave their testimony: “Who do you think you are.” Many a time this longing must have arisen in a God-fearing person: Oh, if only my body could be transformed just as my spirit is being sanctified! When they had to suffer utter contempt, they desired to be transfigured just as Jesus was on the mountain. But this is not to be. We must be faithful in our humiliation and rejoice in the promise that when Christ who is our life appears, we also will appear with Him in glory. Col. 3:4; 2 Thess. 1:10.

However, the body is not just a cover for the glory of God; it is also a cover for the fullness of Satan.

“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.” Rev. 3:18.

When people have to leave their bodies and meet God, many of them will feel naked just like Adam did after the fall. A hateful spirit is hiding behind many a smiling face. If someone wants to deceive you, he will put on a good outward appearance. He covers up a deceitful spirit with a kind and benevolent exterior. If he were to lose his vessel of clay, he would feel quite naked.

Think of an assembly of people. They are sitting there, perhaps at a Christian feast, all dressed up and happy. All of them appear to be pious. Just imagine if they suddenly lost their bodies and you saw their spirits sitting there; then you would in all likelihood see a terrible sight. One person would be bitter and disgruntled; another would be full of envy and jealousy; another would be miserly and exuding greed. Others would be full of impurity, covetousness, honor-seeking, vanity, foolishness, etc. These are the sins they are living in, which the vessel of clay no longer covers up.

Therefore we must pursue sanctification without which we cannot see God. Heb. 12:14. May we partake of the divine nature through the precious promises that we have. 2 Pet. 1:4. For we have been chosen for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called us by the gospel for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thess. 2:13-14.

“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and see his shame.” Rev. 16:15.

All of us are in a vessel of clay, but there will be a vastly different result from the time that we are in this vessel of clay. You can gain the glory of Jesus Christ, and then your lowly body will be conformed to His glorious body (Phil. 3:21; 2 Cor. 5:1-3) or you can reject the gospel and remain in your sins, playing the hypocrite while you are in this world until one day the shame of your nakedness will be revealed and you will be cast out together with the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, and all liars. Their part is in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Rev. 21:8.