God has placed us in "jars of clay" so He can wage His own war against Satan; so He can build His own Kingdom apart from human ambitions and ingenuity.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (II Corinthians 4:8,9—NIV)

The problems and pain that insured Paul's ministry and fruitfulness would be Divine and not human are described as pressure, perplexity, persecution, being struck down. Paul's entire life and ministry was like that of Jesus in that it was composed of one problem and pain after another—not an enviable existence from the standpoint of flesh and blood.

But look at what was true of Paul!

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. (II Corinthians 4:10—NIV)

The reason for living according to the death of Jesus being worked out in him was so the Life of Jesus would be revealed in Paul's body.

Most of us Christians want to minister and bear fruit that other people may receive the Life of Jesus. This is a worthy desire. But for fruit to be borne the seed must fall into the ground and die. We cannot save our life and at the same time perform the eternal works of the Kingdom of God. If we would have Christ live in us we must be crucified with Christ. If we would know the power of Christ's resurrection we must be ready to share His sufferings, being conformed to His death.

There is no other way. Unfortunately, for the two thousand years of the Christian Era well intentioned people have sought to build the Kingdom of God and at the same time preserve their own life. The result has been, and shall be in the future, Babylon—confusion!

For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so his life may be revealed in our mortal body. (II Corinthians 4:11—NIV)

Problems and pain are sent upon us that our ministry and fruit-bearing might be of the Life of Jesus Christ and not of the strivings of our adamic personality.

The Charismatic movement is at a crossroads today. The godly remnant will wait on the Lord that He may use them as He will. The majority will go forth with their gifts to save and heal a "lost and dying world," as they describe it. (But how about lost and dying Christian churches—believers who, because of unbalanced teaching, are worldly, bound by the lusts of the flesh, and living according to their self-will?)

The majority always will slander and persecute the godly remnant because Satan, who also is bound with worldliness, lust, and self-will, will accuse the remnant through the majority—accuse the remnant of whatever imperfections he can locate. This is taking place today. "Come down from the wall," Satan cries. "You are in passivity. You have no love. You do not care about people" On and on the slander and accusations continue while the remnant patiently look to the Lord and hope in His Word.

But the remnant will continue to look to Jesus, and the majority will continue to busily attempt to build the Kingdom of God according to their own desires, wisdom, talents, and strength, just as they did in Paul's day.

To be continued.