July-August 1997
COMMENTARY
Paper or Plastic?
We contain a priceless treasure in our imperfect clay pots.
by Greg Albrecht
"Paper or plastic?"
If you live in North America, chances are you hear that question at least once a week at your supermarket. It's a question Christians should ask themselves. What kind of container has God given you to carry the riches of his grace?
Recently I heard about one high school where it became "in" to have a beeper (pager). Teens in this school who did not wear beepers were not considered cool. One young man could not afford a beeper, but he solved the problem of not being able to display this status symbol by finding an old beeper in the trash and wearing it. The discarded beeper was simply a shell, an empty plastic box, but it "worked" because it gave him the necessary status to be accepted.
Do teenagers automatically jettison these surface values when they become adults? Many adults have had the experience of looking for a used car in the classified ads, only to find one promoted as "good transportation."
Such promotions usually describe cars that have extensive damage but are sound mechanically. They may not look that great, but they get you where you are going.
Upon reflection, getting where you are going may seem to be the purpose of an automobile, but status and appearance are priorities for advertising and selling a car.
Impressed With the Container
It's a dilemma Christians wrestle with. We can condemn others who appear to be living their lives impressed with the "paper or plastic" container -- physical beauty and appearances -- while consoling ourselves that we are only interested with the inside. But appearances can deceive and mislead Christians as well.
Paul tells us, "We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). Consider this scene. You are leaving the supermarket with the items you purchased. A friend, who has answered the "paper or plastic?" question differently than you have tells you that unless you start carrying her kind of container you are doomed. She expresses this belief with passion. You get the idea that she feels superior to you.
"Paper or plastic?" Doesn't this question often lead Christians to issues like wine or grape juice? Premillennial or amillennial? Infant or believer's baptism? Traditional music or praise and worship? Hands in pockets or raised?
Imperfect Pots
Paul told us that we are imperfect clay pots containing a priceless treasure. The glory goes to God and not to us. It isn't superior knowledge, better doctrines or diligence and good works that save.
Salvation is not by age, by appearance, by gender, by intellect, by ability or by works. "Not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:9).
We often find ourselves congratulating ourselves that we made the right choice when the "paper or plastic" question was asked. We suppose that God is impressed with our theological bells and whistles, the outer wrappings that hold the real treasure God has given us.
Have you heard about the person who was looking for a perfect church? He told a Christian friend that he was looking for a church to join that didn't have any problems. His friend responded: "I don't know of any church that doesn't have any problems. But I have one request. If you find it, don't join it. You'll ruin it."
What kind of container holds the eternal life God gave you when he saved you from the life of sin you lived? Think about it next time you visit the supermarket.