A Vessel to Honor
Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth. But shun profane and
vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their
word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who
concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already;
and overthrow the faith of some.
Nevertheless the
foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that
are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from
iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of
silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to
dishonour. 21 If a man therefore
purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and
meet for the master's use, and
prepared unto every good work.
Flee also youthful
lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on
the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid,
knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not
strive; but be gentle unto all men,
apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if
God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
And that they may recover
themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his
will.
2 Timothy
2:15-26 (KJV)
Will you be
a vessel of honor for your Master’s use? The passage above teaches that if you
break off from your sins and strongholds and devote yourself wholly to the
Lord, that you will be a vessel of honor, worthy of the Lord’s use.
While it is
true that the Lord can use anyone, even a wicked Balaam to accomplish His will,
the Lord desires men to walk with Him. Do you want to walk with man? Do you
have a desire to be a vessel of honor and to have your sins “purged”? Ask the
Lord. Every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord—transformation and
conformity to the image of Christ is surely a good and perfect gift! Ask your
Heavenly Father.
A mentor
of mine uses the illustration of a pipe. He says that we are just the pipes
that the Water of the Lord (Living Water, Holy Spirit) flows through. I like to
think of it in terms of a vessel. Are you a vessel—a pot or a cup that is
worthy for God to hand to a weary traveler, a down and out person, a stranger,
the brokenhearted, the fatherless, the prisoner, or a saint for exhortation? I
am not talking about being worthy by some kind of perfection resulting from
your own will power—nothing like that exists. What I am saying, is that are you
able like Paul to say that you have faithfully run the fight?
Minister,
may God make you a vessel of honor. And when He does so, may you always
remember: you’re simply the vessel that the Lord uses—it’s not about you, but
about Him.
