2 Timothy 2:20-22 (NIV)
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984
To be useful to God is an honorable desire and is a recurring prayer of my own. Over time I have developed an understanding that I am unique and that I am not to judge my usefulness through comparison to others but rather to God's design.
This passage speaks to the wisdom of that understanding. When studying this passage it is important to understand what is meant by "large house" and also by "noble" and "ignoble" purposes.
The 'large house' refers to the Church, the whole church and not just sizable congregations. As Christians we are all members of 'the' church and it is indeed a large house with room sufficient for everyone.
The terms noble and ignoble are references to the function served by a particular vessel (person). Those vessels that are for 'noble' purposes are seen in public, kept in good repair and preserved. This might include pitchers for water or wine, plates or bowls for eating, etc. Thank of it as all those things which are 'set out' when company is coming. :) On the other hand are the vessels for ignoble purposes. Simply stated, they are for garbage or excrement. They are not presented for inspection, kept in good repair and indeed, they are discarded when their purpose is accomplished. Either way, honor or shame is bestowed upon a vessel by the way in which the owner uses them.
This passage speaks to the necessity of preparing ourselves for service to The King. It speaks of cleansing oneself so that one could be a vessel of noble purpose. To me, this means a couple of things. First, the vessel must be empty. If I've filled my 'self' with pride, arrogance, self-sufficiency, etc, there is no room for God to use me. But if I've emptied myself then the only remaining matter is one of cleanliness. Jesus admonished the Pharisees to 'clean the inside of the cup and the outside would be clean also.' This is the same concept. We must submit to being cleaned by God through contrition, confession and forgiveness. We must endeavor not to spoil his work by pouring pollution back in after the cleanup has occurred.
This passage speaks specifically to flee the evil desires of youth; some versions say "youthful lusts." This includes not only the obvious physical lusts of youth but also the lust for power, fortune and fame; anything self-aggrandizing falls into this category as well. Instead, we maintain our cleanliness and suitability for purpose by pursuing righteousness, faith, love and peace and this we do in fellowship with other believers, not as individuals.
With great effort against my sin nature, I live a life of fleeing from all manners of sin and in hot pursuit of righteousness, faith, love and peace. To be honest, I'm not very good at it. But whenever I find that I've poured the pollution into the pitcher, I pour it all back out and submit to the hands of He who can cleanse me and make me anew. Then I wait, sometimes impatiently, for him to decide what to do with me and then to fill me up and put me to use.
I suppose that's why I'm headed to Guatemala. God must feel like he can use me there and it is my fervent prayer that he would use me for noble purposes to serve those in that country. I know where I stand but what's your choice? Tea pitcher or honey-pot? They look so similar...
Ewwww,
Carl
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1 comment:
Oh, my brother, having just come here late in the afternoon on a Tuesday, I'm almost overwhelmed with personal emotion in reading this blog entry. And I sit here in my home, reminiscing about the confused and encumbered new Christian who came into my life in May of 2000, a man who desired to know God but one who was a tarnished and broken vessel, ... one who had been turned over to Christ but one who didn't know how to rid itself of all that excrement which had been collected within this container over the years of selfish and sinful living.
Now, here I read from an older and wiser vessel, one which has been repieced and patched and now can hold the best wine from His Savior to be shared with others who need to drink from this finely recast container.
And to think that our Lord chose me to be a small part of the recasting and refurbishing process. Oh, Lord, I can only say, "Thank You, my Dear Savior." And I can pray that He fills you with all the finest and purest drink which He has to share with others in Guatemala.
And now I must say, "Go, ... be God's vessel" and share the drink of faith which now fills your soul. And when any choose to drink God's best from His best container, they will drink from you as Christ's vessel, and they will drink from The Savior's best container, ... His best and finest vintage, delivered from one of His most valuable vessels, ... that which holds the Lord's purified vintage, the drink which now flows freely for God's glory. Go!
<'BB><
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