2 Corinthians 4:7

 The principle of spiritual life is summed up in the phrase, the treasure in the earthen vessel.  We are not to mend the earthen vessel nor change the natural man by any human method.  Let us not labor to the extent that the vessel is no longer an earthen vessel. It is not because one does not say anything, hear anything and do anything that he or she is spiritual.  An earthen vessel is always an earthen vessel.  It is forever worth little.  If the Lord so arranges, that you be a student, then be that.  If the Lord appoints you to be a housewife, then be content to be such.  Your being a student or a housewife should not hide the treasure that is in you.  The New Covenant ministry rests on how much treasure the Lord gives and not on how cleanly you wash or beautify your earthen vessel.

 Today man is not innocent enough before God.  He does additional work on the earthen vessel.  But no matter how much work is done on his earthen vessel, the one and only result of such work will be to draw people’s attention to himself.  The ministry of Paul was manifested most wonderfully, yet his bodily presence was quite weak (2 Corinthians 10:10).  Today, however, man’s ministry is weak but his personal appearance is fairly strong and attractive.  How we need to go before God and learn the lesson of being smitten and dealt with.  Our present need is not more outward mending efforts.  Our need instead is for people to be able to distinguish the inside treasure from the outside earthen vessel.

The salvation of the Lord is in manifesting Christ before men, in presenting to them the Lord who is within us.  We are not to draw people’s attention to the earthen vessels.  No, we are to draw people to notice the Christ within us, for He is the treasure.

Excerpt From
“Revive Thy Work”
New Testament Ministry
Watchman Nee

Be blessed as this word works in you…
Rosita