Prepare Your Life for Service

​2 Timothy 2:20-21 ~ “Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 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.”
 
The Christian desires to be a vessel used of God for the noble purpose of serving the King of kings.
 
In the palace of the monarchs of old, those who worked within the house knew to never bring before the ruler those common utensils that had no quality of value. The gold and silver vessels were used exclusively for the honor of the dignitaries and magistrates of the land. Even today, those establishments that are reserved for “fine dining” will not utilize common tableware to present their culinary creations. In many homes throughout the land, there are those items of special interest—the “Fine China”—that is used only for special occasions or special guests.
 
So, beloved, here we are in God’s “great house” as Paul describes in our text today: “Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.” And with this illustration, the apostle is making known the reality that within this house of God there is an opportunity to prepare your lives to serve the King. Yet, before we find our way to that point, let us first understand our situation. We are God’s house—the church. No, not the building that sits at the corner of this and that street. The church, comprised of all who believe on the LORD for salvation, is the house of God. Hebrews 3:6 states, “but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” Christ Jesus is the Head of this house, and we who belong to Him are the household, being built together as it says in Ephesians 2:22, “In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Knowing that you are a member of the household of Christ, and not just a visiting guest, changes the dynamic of how you respond to the Head of the household. A guest has no lasting interest to serve the One who is the Head, a member does.
 
So, as a member of God’s household—a vessel to serve the King—you have the means by which you can better prepare your life for His service. Paul gives two classifications for these vessels: honorable and dishonorable. And the apostle then gives us instruction as to what we must undertake: “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use.” These two words convey the extremes of these conditions, either vile (dishonorable) or highly esteemed (honorable). By God’s grace and His purpose, we are to cleanse ourselves from that which contaminates our lives so that we can be a vessel for honorable use. 2 Corinthians 7:1 declares, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” And, dear ones, God has given to us the means by which we can be cleansed—but it must be done through Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:9 instructs us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is where we must go to cleanse ourselves from that which is dishonorable. We must confess, repent, and let the LORD cleanse us by the washing of His word (see Ephesians 5:26). Then we must “put off” the old sins and “put on” that which is of Christ, “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
 
As we cleanse ourselves through Christ, we will soon discover that our usefulness to the LORD increases. We read in our text today that we will be, “set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” God uses those who are humble, not haughty. He will find those who are surrendered to Him and not sanctimonious as vessels for valued opportunities.
 
So, dear reader, if we desire to be used of God, we will seek to cleanse ourselves from such things that defile and keep us from His service. And if you have any notion that you are still unprepared, I would implore you to run in prayer to the LORD and seek His cleansing that you will be made a vessel of noble quality for the King of kings.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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