2 Corinthians 4:7 – Verse of the Day 2/15/15

You’ve probably heard the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover.” The point is that appearances can be deceiving. Sometimes things that look bad on the outside are really very wonderful when we see the inside. The opposite is true too, because sometimes things that look great on the outside are nasty and rotting on the inside.

In this verse Paul teaches us that as Christians we should not judge ourselves by outward appearances either. We may struggle with sin and temptation on the outside, but through faith we have the presence of Jesus inside us because of the Holy Spirit. Just like clay jars, human beings are humble vessels, but even humble vessels may contain wonderful things. The presence of Jesus inside us is a treasure that makes us glorious in spite of the poverty of our outward experience. Outwardly we may be wasting away, but inwardly we have a perfect hope that comes from Christ and his Gospel.

Although Paul placed his hope in Christ and not in himself, we are often tempted to trust in ourselves and our own abilities. Pray that you would know Paul’s hope, that you would find it not in yourself but in Jesus, and that this hope would transform your life each day.