Once we receive a wake-up call about an issue, we are faced with the fact that we must do something to resolve the issue. Today’s Bible Journaling verse tells us, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21 ESV) We are God’s chosen vessels, and we must be pure and holy for Him to use us.
In the verses previously, Paul is talking about how the church is God’s house, with God as the foundation. In, 2 Timothy 2:20, Paul says there are different vessels in God’s house some of gold and silver, some of wood and clay. The Enduring Word website says, “Some of these vessels are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. Some are used on occasions of great honor (the gold and silver vessels), and some are used for dishonor – such as a garbage bin or an ashtray.” For example, many of us have a set of dishes that are used for daily use. They’re nothing special, some may be mismatched or cracked, but they are for our use daily, and we wouldn’t put them out on the table if we were serving company for dinner. No, we would bring out our good dishes, the beautiful, matched china that is only used for special occasions. We make sure that it is clean and in good condition, and the good china is given a place of honor in its use. We are to be sure we keep ourselves clean and pure so that God can use us for His glory, as vessels to bring honor to Him.
In dealing with sin issues, sometimes dealing with an issue is not easy, and that’s when we come to God and ask Him to help us. Sin dirties a vessel. David cried out to the Lord in repentance in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (ESV) David knew that God was the only One who could help him become the kind of vessel the Lord could use. David repented of his sin and then prayed for God to help him. When we have sin issues that need to be dealt with, our first step should be to ask God’s forgiveness.
When dealing with sanctification issues, God expects us to do our part, we can’t expect God to do all the work. Paul says a man must cleanse himself. We must take that first step toward making our lives pure and walking closer to God, and then He will help us by showing us how to become a vessel He can use. In 2 Timothy 2:22-23, Paul tells us how we are to cleanse ourselves. We are to “flee from youthful lusts…refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels” (NIV) and at the same time we are to pursue “righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.” (NIV) Notice that Paul says we are to flee from those things that will make us a dishonorable vessel. The idea is to run as fast as possible in the opposite direction. Get away from these things as quickly and as far as we can. Notice also that we are to pursue the things that will make us an honorable vessel. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the idea is to run after or follow. We are to be intentional in going after the good things, and actively seek them out.
As we take action to deal with our wake-up call, we are becoming that vessel God can use. The move toward nurturing a clean heart will put us closer to God so that we can be an honorable vessel of great value.
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