“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.” 2 Timothy 2:20
Vessels of honor have a life mandate from God centered in obedience.
Vessels of dishonor have an agenda centered in power and control.
As we grow in the grace of Christ we realize it is vital that we know the difference between the vessels. We discover that in our walk with Christ, if we are to live by His mandate of obedience, we must purge our lives of anything that might interfere with our relationship with Christ.
Purging is a daily, ongoing process. Satan’s world is invading us every moment with thoughts and schemes focused on feeding our need for power and control. We know we’re going to be invaded–by anger, youthful lusts, sinful thoughts. But when we are vessels of honor we realize something. When those things invade us, we can’t prevent them from invading us, but we can learn how to manage them so we can live a life of honor.
Paul has a simple answer. Flee. And instead pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart (honorable vessels). We are sanctified for a purpose, to live honorable lives and glorify the Master. Living as honorable vessels demands a radical commitment.
Each of us has something right in front of us, right now, that has the potential to turn us into a dishonorable vessel. What are you pursuing with your life? Can you make that radical commitment to flee? And pursue a life of honor? That’s a challenge we face every day. Honor. Or dishonor. Can you see the difference?
Father, we see that obstacle waiting to invade us right now. We see them every day, looking for a way to invade our thought life and destroy our honorable vessel. O God, make us so aware of Your call to obedience that we are able to not only see the invasion, but flee its threat. Help us today, O God, to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace and live today, and every day, as a vessel that brings honor and glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.