THE VESSEL GOD USES

‘In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work’ (2nd Timothy 2:20-21)

God is in search of men and women who will bear His mandate, do His will and pursue Kingdom purposes. Men, in whom His word is like fire in their bones. Will we be vessels fit for the Master’s use? If God will use us, we must follow his standard. Our vessel must be holy, clean and sanctified. We must present to God a clean heart and pursue holiness.

To pursue holiness and be an instrument for the Master’s use:

A. BE A FRIEND OF THE WORD OF GOD

Spend quality time reading and studying the Word of God. When in transit, listen to God’s Word. Don’t equate listening to music to studying the word of God. Don’t equate reading devotionals to studying the scriptures. God told Joshua, ‘Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful’ (Joshua 1:8).

B. WATCH WHAT YOU WATCH

To be holy, you must stop watching certain things. Habakkuk 1:13 says concerning God, ‘Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…’ As children of God, we must be like our Father. We must be selective of what we watch and avoid things that can contaminate us. The eye is the window of the mind. Whatsoever we watch registers in our mind and impacts us. Watch what you read; there are certain novels that will pollute your mind. Watch what you hear; it is not every news that is good for consumption.

C. WITHDRAW YOURSELF FROM BAD COMPANIES

Watch the friends you keep. Take care of your social arena. Paul told the Thessalonians, ‘Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us’ (2 Thessalonians 3:6, KJV). In 1 Corinthians 15:33, he warned us, ‘Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners’ (KJV). Your friends can derail you from the plans and purposes of God; they can ruin your testimony and make a mockery of your life.

D. BE CONSCIOUS OF THE WITNESSES

Do not forget that you are surrounded by the cloud of witnesses. Respect boundaries. Pursue integrity and make a habit of doing the right things always. Don’t travel out of town and think you can throw caution to the winds because nobody knows you in that environment. Always follow the rules of God irrespective of where you are. Hebrews 12:1 says, ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.’

E. WATCH YOUR MOUTH

Our tongue defiles. Talking without restraints diminishes our anointing and makes a mockery of the calling. Learn to pause. Guard your mouth. Let your words be few. It is an expression of lack of control to talk too much. Proverbs 18:21 says, ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.’ Let your words be full of grace and bring healing to others. Ephesians 4:29 says, ‘Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.’ 1 Peter 3:10 says, ‘For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.’ Proverbs 10:19 says, ‘Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues’ and Proverbs 21:23 says, ‘Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.’

F. FINALLY, REMEMBER THAT EVERYBODY IS WEAK.

Grace is attracted to weakness. Always ask God for strength; don’t hang on the flesh. Don’t be arrogant, never go out without asking for grace. 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, ‘Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.’ God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. Our weaknesses should not paralyze us, rather they should prompt us to go back to God, the source of strength. Paul shared his personal experience with the Corinthians: ‘Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NKJV).

A popular adage says, ‘You can’t keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can sure keep them from building a nest in your hair!’ You cannot stop temptations but you can definitely resist them. When you resist temptations, you are empowered and fortified, to handle every challenge that comes your way and to also help others. We can always draw on the strength that comes from God, that we might be worthy vessels, instruments for special purposes, fit to serve Our Lord and King.

I pray that the Lord will strengthen and empower you, in your quest for holiness in the service of the Lord.