VESSELS IN GOD’S HOUSE
Pastor J. C. O’Hair
In II Timothy 2:1 , the servant of the Lord is exhorted to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
In II Timothy 2:3 the servant of the Lord is exhorted to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
In II Timothy 2:15 the servant of the Lord is expected to study to show himself approved unto God and rightly divide the Word of truth.
In II Timothy 2:19 the servant of the Lord is exhorted to depart from iniquity.
In II Timothy 4:2 and 5 the servant of the Lord is told to preach the Word and to do the work of an evangelist.
If the servant of the Lord will faithfully obey these exhortations, he will be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use, prepared unto every good work. (II Timothy 2:21).
Every member of the Body of Christ is a vessel in a House (a great House). (I1 Timothy 2:20).
In I Timothy 3:15 the servant of the Lord is told how he should behave in the House of God which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Those same instructions are stated in different language in Ephesians 4:1: “That ye walk worthy of the calling wherewith ye are called.”
It is beyond human imagination what the Church of the living God, as the pillar and ground of the truth, could do, if members of that Church would be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, if they would endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, if they would rightly divide the Word of truth, if they would depart from iniquity.
Members of the Church of the living God, Which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28), are certainly vessels in a great House. Think of the price that was paid for this House and the glorious future of this House: “ . . . Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word. That He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that is should be holy and without blemish.”
Surely every Christian should desire to be a vessel of honor in this great House, sanctified and easily used for the Lord Jesus Christ, Who said, “if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor.” (John 12:26).
We read concerning Christ as the Chief Corner Stone in this great House, “In Whom all the Building fitly framed (joined) together groweth unto an Holy Temple in the Lord. In Whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:21 and 22). “The Household of God.” (Ephesians 2:20). What an honour to be in this Household, this Temple, this Building! To be “in Christ” in this age of grace, means to be a member of. God’s Family, a child of God, an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ. (Romans 8:15 and 16).
It is possible to be saved so as by fire and not be a vessel of honour in this great House, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use. (I Corinthians 3:15). But why not have the very best that God has for us?
Reader, if you feel that you have been a failure and consider your case about hopeless, read Jeremiah’s visit to the potter’s house in Jeremiah 18:1 to 6 and see how God’s prophet saw the potter “re-make” the marred vessel. Then read God’s word; that He could do the same with a marred sinner. Turn from this scene to Judas and the potter’s field in Matthew 27:3 to 10. God is the Great Potter. We are the vessels. If you are a sinner, let God save you, by His grace and His Son. If you are a saint, let God use you. “Purge yourself from these.” Be a vessel of honour in God’s Great House. Remember I Corinthians 15:58 and I Corinthians 3:13 to 15. God is a Great God. He gives eternal life to receivers. Then He pays well for service.
Posted By – Cecil Spivey
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