For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. - 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (KJV)

As believers in Christ, we are said to be Epistles of Christ. This means that our destiny is to shine with the glory of God. In 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, it is written, "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

We may feel like fragile jars of clay, and in fact we are. However, inside of us is the most precious treasure of all: the knowledge of the glory of God. This treasure is not as hidden as we think. Remember that Paul said that we are bearing a fragrance of Christ that is “life unto life” in those who are being saved and “death unto death” in those are perishing. Just as a lamp is not meant to be hidden under a basket, but to be put on a stand to give light to all in the house (Matthew 5:15), God has actually set us up on a stand to shine, even though at times it seems like we are a “spectacle” to everyone (1 Cor 4:9).

While good works are often said to be the way people will see our faith and glorify God, these have to be based on something more intrinsic to be of any value. Paul said to the church at Phillipi that they were to walk worthy of the Gospel, striving and contending for it, and not being afraid of their “adversaries.” The adversaries of course were accusing them of being lazy and looking for a license to sin and even being evil doers, and no amount of good works, giving to the poor or charitable enterprises would change their mind, because the Philippians were marked by the gospel of grace (Phil 1:27-28). The fragrance that is “Death unto death” to those who are perishing is not our works and behavior, it is Christ Himself, and we bear Him in our bodies and emit a fragrance of Him everywhere we go. Furthermore, as we behold Christ through the New Testament ministry, we are being transformed from glory to glory into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18). This transformation is also not about behavior, but about the essence of Christ being impressed into us as a “weight of glory” (2 Cor 4:17).

While words written on a page can last for centuries, the eternal unfading letters of Christ are being written in us as we behold Him through the gospel, making us epistles of Christ that will be read forever. This is happening even (and especially) in weakness, in groaning, and in gaining Him when we feel like we are nothing but “earthen” vessels, containing no treasure. The truth is that we do have the treasure, and we are illuminated, and we are illuminating. We are “light in the lord” (Eph 5:8). So we need not be discouraged by our weaknesses and imperfections if they draw us to see Him. Rather let us boast in our weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon us (2 Corinthians 12:9). For it is in our weaknesses that His strength is made perfect, and it is when we are weak that we are strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Thank You, Lord, that I am an epistle of Christ, shining with Your glory. I may feel weak and fragile like a jar of clay, but inside me is the most precious treasure of all: the knowledge of Your glory. I thank You that You have shone Your light in my heart, giving me the light of the knowledge of Your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Thank You, Lord, for transforming me from glory to glory into Your likeness as I behold You through the Gospel. I

Thank You that the eternal unfading letters of Christ are being written in me as I behold Him through the gospel. I boast in my weaknesses, for it is in my weaknesses that Your strength is made perfect, and it is when I am weak that I am strong. I thank you for Your word the lamp that shines on my path, and for the verses that remind me of Your truth. Thank You for making me the light of the world, and for calling me according to Your purpose. I thank You that as I am in Christ, I am a new creature, and old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Thank You, Lord, for Your surpassing power that belongs to You and not to me. I thank you that you are even shining in the darkness, so that “even the darkness is light before You.”