Throughout Paul’s writings he continually expresses wonder at the mystery of the indwelling Spirit. In Philippians 1 he sums up his ministry by saying that his calling is “to present…the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Philippians 1:25-27). Paul did not just talk about Jesus as some distant historical figure. Jesus was in him as he is in all of us who believe. Our calling is to be, as Paul says here, jars of clay that contain the Spirit of God. The truth of Christ is not just some abstract fact for us who contain God’s Spirit, but a present reality. Jesus is within us, and he wants to reach out to other people through us. Jesus wants the aroma of his presence to leak out of us. To this end he might even make some cracks in the vase. Just as Mary broke the jar of perfume at Jesus’ feet (John 12:3) so too it is often through the cracks of our brokenness that the aroma of God’s presence reaches others. Paul goes on to speak of his hardships in ministry. Paul’s willingness to suffer such things for the sake of his ministry was a powerful testimony to the people he went to. It was through these cracks that the aroma of Christ emanated so powerfully. Hardships do not threaten the ministry of the Holy Spirit through us. They may even intensify it.
Give yourself over to God to be filled by his Spirit to be a vessel of his power, love and glory.
Read 2 Corinthians 4
