Thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man: A Daily Devotional

by Walter A. Henrichsen

JUNE 10 Day 162 Two Kinds of Vessels “In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for noble use, some for ignoble. If any one purifies himself from what is ignoble, then he will be a vessel for noble use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good work.” II Timothy 2:20-21 The context of Paul’s observation is the need for commitment if you wish to become engaged in the affairs of Christ. In this section of his epistle to Timothy, Paul talks about commitment to the development of your own character. He uses as an illustration what all people know to be true: People use two types of vessels. You use one kind, such as a drinking cup, for sanitary purposes, and the other kind, such as a garbage pale, for dirty purposes. You use both kinds, but you do not mix them. So also God uses two kinds of vessels. You are a vessel and God will use you. You must decide what kind of vessel you wish to be. If you want the Lord to use you for holy purposes, you must clean up your life and live like a holy vessel. Failure on your part ensures your being used by God for ignoble purposes. In the following verses, Paul gives specific instructions on what a clean vessel looks like. “So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart,”1 etc. He says that you need personal holiness in order to help other people. To become involved...