I don't think that they are having trouble staying Christians. They have problems with the way other Christians act.
"Encourage the elements of God. Rather than the jars that contain them." He is saying that we should put our trust in God and rely on Him rather than religious institutions and religious people. People will fail you, and institutions will let you down, but God is always faithful.
I think the line "casts a cold reflection on glory" means that alot of religious people and churches (living off the misfortune of others) misrepresent how true christians should be. People and churches who should be releasing the glory of God to others who are suffering misfortune are not doing their jobs. It doesn't mean that no one can be trusted, but the sad fact is that not everyone CAN be trusted.
I don't think that they are having trouble staying Christians. They have problems with the way other Christians act.
"Encourage the elements of God. Rather than the jars that contain them." He is saying that we should put our trust in God and rely on Him rather than religious institutions and religious people. People will fail you, and institutions will let you down, but God is always faithful.
I think the line "casts a cold reflection on glory" means that alot of religious people and churches (living off the misfortune of others) misrepresent how true christians should be. People and churches who should be releasing the glory of God to others who are suffering misfortune are not doing their jobs. It doesn't mean that no one can be trusted, but the sad fact is that not everyone CAN be trusted.