Many of us grew up in homes where we had utensils set aside for the use of the father of the house.
It was a crime for any other person to use such simply because it was meant for ‘daddy’ alone. It could be the cup for drinking water, cutlery or the plate for eating, they were just for him.
This is similar to what happens in the kingdom of God. There are vessels for honorable uses and others for dishonorable uses. The vessels represent us (Christian employees in the workplace for example).
What makes a vessel honorable or dishonorable is a function of what the vessel does with itself. This implies that whether we are honorable or not is a function of how we carry our vessel.
The vessel that are honorable are those characterized by the following:
- cleanses himself from disobedient and sinful life
- Living with the mindset of being set apart for a special use and conscious that he/she cannot just live like others who are not set apart for a special use
- Useful to the Master. In this case God, doing what pleases God
- Prepared for every good work
- Runs away from ambitions and list of youth
- Chases after all that is pure (right with God)
- Keep building up his/her faith in God
- Loves, which is the nature of God
- Pursues peace
- Avoids useless disputes over unnecessary controversies
- Kind to everyone
- Not quarrelsome
- Skilled in teaching the truth of God
- Patient
- Tolerant when wronged
- Correct those in opposition to the word of God with courtesy and gentleness.
It goes without saying that if we are not doing all these, we are not vessels unto honour before God.
How then do we become vessels unto honour?
The Bible says we should purge ourselves from certain things before we can be vessels unto honour.
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”
2 Timothy 2:21 KJV
What are these things we must purge ourselves from? They include;
- affairs of this life
- Strife
- A wordless life
- Profane and vain babbling
- Heresy
- Ungodliness
- Lists
- Dishonest conversation
- Loveless life
- Pride
- Guile
- Malice
- Envy
And a host of others.
As we ponder on this, let us remember that we are created a workmanship with Christ Jesus unto good works. We are therefore meant to preserve ourselves as vessels unto honor.
God bless you.
Akindele Afolabi.
Christian Employee Series.