Are you a Vessel of Honor, Part 1

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Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-26

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.  Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.  The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Insights: This week’s Thoughts by Scott are going to focus primarily on the authority of the house owner, Jesus Christ as it relates to the characteristics of His vessels of honor and dishonor.  The first two days we will address issues surrounding the honorable vessels and the next two days we will look at attributes associated with vessels of dishonor.  The paramount issue at hand, however, is Jesus is in complete control and He rightly distinguishes between these to vessels perfectly.  The first thing we notice from our verses is that vessels of honor are sanctified for good works.  We are called and commissioned to work for the Lord, but He knows we bring a lot of sinful baggage with us into the relationship. As a result, he purges our lives of this sin through the process of sanctification.  He removes our imperfections and fills us with Himself.  The second thing we notice about vessels of honor is they pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.  In other words, they are intentional about what they put in their minds and how they respond to life.  They let the Holy Spirit fill them with these four attributes.  The third thing we notice about vessels of honor is they associate with others who have a pure heart in the Lord.  We become like those with whom we associate.  We hang around garbage and we begin to stink.  We hang around those who breathe higher air, we see from a greater position of clarity.  Choose your friends wisely.

Questions:

 1. What good works point to the righteousness of God in you?

 2. How passionately do you pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace?

Prayer: Father, I desire to be a vessel of honor and to pursue You with all I am.  Transform my life by righteousness being manifest in me and all for Your glory.  Amen.

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