Wednesday February 12th 2014

What kind of vessel?

Memorise: If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the masters use, and prepared unto every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21

Vessels are simply containers. God identified His children as vessel in order to bring up one crucial fact about His dealings and workings on earth. The Bible in Psalm 115:16 says:

“The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S: but the earth hath he given to children of men.”

Because God has given the earth to men, in order to carry out His works on earth, He does not get it done with out involving men, particularly His own children. The reason is, those in Christ are co-workers with the Father (Romans 8:16-17), I Corinthians 3:9). The heavenly resources by which the work will be accomplished will need to be carried or contained in us as vessels. The purity of these resources, virtue, power and gifts of the Holy Spirit are highly essential if results are desired by God will be obtained.

 Though we are God’s children as believers, a component part of us is still fresh and blood. For this reason, we are called earthen vessels. The onus therefore is no us to make sure we keep this vessel pure, hence, the need to purify ourselves from all contaminants that could make us dirty. Our Bible reading for today reveals also that as vessels, the type of use we are put to will differ one from another. The interesting thing is that you are the one that determines the type of vessel you would be in the hand of God. What a great opportunity to become distinguished! It means I can become the most valuable vessel to God with all the honour that goes with such. Consider that for a mere slave who was sick, a centurion was ready to go all out to secure his healing. He had to plead with the Jewish leaders to appeal to Jesus to come and heal his servant. He did all this because this one servant was of immense value to him (Luke 7:1-10). Herein is the secret of what could make a difference between a child of God in whose life Mark 16:17 is a reality and another for whom it is not. Are you still madding with sin, rationalising smoking, alcohol drinking, enjoying immoral thoughts and generally living in disobedience, and yet you wonder why you cannot pray to heal a headache? Mind you, if you do not desire to change, it means that God may consider using your life to send a message that teaches others why it is not good to live the way you live while claiming you are a child of God.

Action point

Playfully list out all the bad habits you know about yourself and determine to break them as you engage in serious prayers. Avoid factors that make you susceptible to them.