Have you ever thought about why God leaves us clothed in corruptible flesh after He gives us a new spirit? In other words, why is our flesh not made anew as well? This scenario qualifies for what Jesus refers to as putting new wine in old bottles (Matthew 9:17).
It would be so much easier for us to live for Christ if our flesh had been changed as well. We would no longer have the internal struggle between our flesh and our spirit as we currently do. Presently, these two, our flesh and our spirit, diametrically oppose each other (Galatians 5:17).
Clothed in human flesh, we are subject to weaknesses and temptations. In fact, dealing with the infirmities of our own flesh is one of the greatest challenges to our desire to walk with the Lord. We can live a victorious Christian life only if we choose to obey the Spirit and disobey the desires of our flesh.
Putting the Holy Spirit Front and Center
As for the answer to the opening question, consider these words of Paul the apostle: “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Cor. 4:7, KJV). The treasure referred to is Christ who indwells us through the Holy Spirit upon salvation.
According to this verse, one reason God has not given us a glorious body at this point is because He wants the treasure He has put in us, namely Christ, to be front and center in our life.
In the verse above, Paul uses the analogy of earthen vessels. That is appropriate since God created us from the earth. But think about a priceless commodity such as gold. One would not store gold in earthen vessels because the purpose of the vessel would be to safeguard the treasure inside. Earthen vessels would miserably fail in this regard.
But in our case, God does not want to conceal or safeguard but to put the priceless treasure in us on display. The weaknesses of our earthen vessel serve to accentuate the excellency of the Holy Spirit in us. Let’s look at three awesome benefits of the Holy Spirit in our life:
Three Benefits of Our Treasure
Through the Holy Spirit, we become a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). No one who truly meets the Lord remains the same after the meeting. In the Bible, this life-changing experience is referred to as being born again. This spiritual rebirth is an operation of the Holy Spirit. It is the only means by which we can enter heaven. And it is also the only means by which walk can walk in the newness of life.
Through the Holy Spirit, God gifts us to serve Him in supernatural ways (1 Cor. 12). The prerequisite for God to use us is not for us to be super talented or perfect. God uses us in spite of our human frailties. Through the Holy Spirit, He has given us spiritual gifts and ministry abilities to serve Him in ways that are humanly impossible. As we exercise these gifts, it becomes abundantly clear to others that it’s Christ in us and not us.
Through Christ in us, we can do all things (Phil. 4:13). God seldom if ever calls us to do things that are easy. He tends to call us to things that are bigger than we are. You may be intimidated by your sense of insufficiency to do what you sense God is calling you to do. But God already knows your limitations. That’s why Christ lives in you. He is the ultimate source of your strength. Whatever God has called you to do or allowed you to face in life, you can do it–through Christ.
Our Human Inadequacy
The treasure that God has placed in us underscores our human inadequacy. He has created us for His glory. That means our purpose on earth is to serve God and to live to magnify His name.
But in and of ourselves, even the best of us cannot measure up to that high calling. We can’t even earn our own salvation. “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight…” (Romans 3:19, KJV). Thank God, we are saved by grace and not by our works.
So, what gives? The priceless treasure God has placed in us is the only means by which we can adequately glorify Him. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NASB).
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