Vessels Of Honor

“ ⁷ But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

You know, no matter how beautiful a vase is, it is useless and of no value without its cargo. What I mean is that it is what the vessel carries that gives the vessel purpose and value. What the vessel carries gives it its importance! Why else would you need the vessel if you were not going to use it?

When you pour someone something to drink, don’t you pour it from a larger vessel into a smaller vessel? I mean, the drink doesn’t float across the air and pour itself into a cup? At least I hope not because that would be really weird!

And on that thought, didn’t you get the bigger container (vessel) with the intention to transfer that drink from place to place? You didn’t get it to just admire it on a shelf or to take up space in your refrigerator. You bought it with a purpose in mind!

And God has done the same thing for us!

“ ¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

God didn’t create us to just take up space or for Him to just sit back and look at us. He created each and every person with purpose. A purpose that is only fulfilled when in relationship with Him, because He is the SOURCE! As Christians (the redeemed believers and followers of Jesus Christ) our purpose is to be filled with God's Holy Spirit and be vessels of honor useful in His hands.

It His Spirit in us that gives us our purpose and our worth. No matter our size, our past uses, our looks, or abilities, etc. He purposed His children to be vessels of honor that we may glorify Him with our lives. That we can have rivers of living waters flowing from God through us to reach those who do not yet know Him. 

So what is a vessel of honor? Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 2:14-26:

“¹⁴ Remind the people of these facts, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good, and [upsets and undermines and] ruins [the faith of] those who listen. ¹⁵ Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. ¹⁶ But avoid all irreverent babble and godless chatter [with its profane, empty words], for it will lead to further ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their teaching will spread like gangrene….¹⁹ Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.””

“²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only vessels and objects of gold and silver, but also vessels and objects of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honorable (noble, good) use and some for dishonorable (ignoble, common). ²¹ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. ²² Run away from youthful lusts—pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those [believers] who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations [useless disputes over unedifying, stupid controversies], since you know that they produce strife and give birth to quarrels.”

“²⁴ The servant of the Lord must not participate in quarrels, but must be kind to everyone [even-tempered, preserving peace, and he must be], skilled in teaching, patient and tolerant when wronged. ²⁵ He must correct those who are in opposition with courtesy and gentleness in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and be led to the knowledge of the truth [accurately understanding and welcoming it], ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”

A Christian is supposed to be a vessel of honor, set apart for a special and noble purpose. That purpose being the vessel is useful and usable in God’s hands. But how many “Christians” fit this description?

Paul warned Christians of the struggles and temptations of dishonorable and common use.

In Galatians 5:19-21, he warns “¹⁹ Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], ²¹ envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

He makes things a little more clear regarding those who claim to be of Christ in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13:

 “⁹ I wrote you in my [previous] letter not to associate with [sexually] immoral people— ¹⁰ not meaning the immoral people of this world, or the greedy ones and swindlers, or idolaters, for then you would have to get out of the world and human society altogether! ¹¹ But actually, I have written to you not to associate with any so-called [Christian] brother if he is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater [devoted to anything that takes the place of God], or is a reviler [who insults or slanders or otherwise verbally abuses others], or is a drunkard or a swindler—you must not so much as eat with such a person. ¹² For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Do you not judge those who are within the church [to protect the church as the situation requires]?¹³ God alone sits in judgment on those who are outside [the faith]. Remove the wicked one from among you [expel him from your church].

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the 1 Corinthians chapter 5 breaks it down like this:

“The apostle notices a flagrant abuse, winked at by the Corinthians. Party spirit, and a false notion of Christian liberty, seem to have saved the offender from censure. Grievous indeed is it that crimes should sometimes be committed by professors of the gospel, of which even heathens would be ashamed. Spiritual pride and false doctrines tend to bring in, and to spread such scandals. How dreadful the effects of sin! The devil reigns where Christ does not. And a man is in his kingdom, and under his power, when not in Christ. The bad example of a man of influence is very mischievous; it spreads far and wide. Corrupt principles and examples, if not corrected, would hurt the whole church. Believers must have new hearts, and lead new lives. Their common conversation and religious deeds must be holy.”

“Christians are to avoid familiar converse with all who disgrace the Christian name. Such are only fit companions for their brethren in sin, and to such company they should be left, whenever it is possible to do so. Alas, that there are many called Christians, whose conversation is more dangerous than that of heathens!”

Let’s break this down even further. A priceless porcelain vase was not purposed to be a pee pot or a refuse container. Could you make it into one? Yes. But you would deviate from its intended purpose. In doing so, you degrade it and make it “unclean” and “dishonorable.” How many of you would want to show off that same “unclean” vase to other people? Would you be proud of it in its degraded state? Most likely “NO” to either.

So it is when a Christian falls back into a sinful nature and still proclaims to be of Christ.

That which was set apart for a holy use (the Christian) was brought low and degraded by what was placed in it (sin). Remember, it is not the vessel itself that determines its worth. It is what the vessel was purposed to carry. A priceless vase was not made to carry waste products.

So Christian, child of the Most High God, what are you carrying around in your soul? Consider carefully. There are a multitude of sins that dishonor a vessel. Greed, lust, jealousy, envy, talking about others behind their backs, causing drama and strife, lying, not able to hold a confidence, sexual immorality, unable to control your temper, lack of self-control, pride, rebellion, idolatry, addictions, hate, condemning and critical towards others, impatient, and so much more.

If you find yourself guilty of any of these or anything else, then turn back to the One who is forgiving and merciful! Repent, meaning in full sincerity be remorseful of your actions, asking God to forgive you, and turn away from that which made you dishonorable. Our God is a merciful and just God. He will not turn you away if you are truly repentant. And He is more than able to restore you to honor!

After all, are we not all sinners saved by grace? God has redeemed us with the sacrificial blood of Christ so that we could then be made new, vessels of honor sanctified and filled with His Holy Spirit!

Yet we are still earthen vessels, broken and cracked by the trials and temptations of life.

Thankfully God loves to use broken and cracked vessels because only then can HIS STRENGTH and HIS GLORY be made known to all who see! Remember, you are not what gives yourself worth and purpose. It is God in you that gives you worth and purpose! It is the LORD in you that draws others in. So do not beat yourself up over what has happened, what could have been, what should have been. Hold on to what God has made available to you through faith.

“¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, ² [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. ³ Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

How wonderful it is to belong to someone so loving, kind, longsuffering, righteous, and gracious! LORD God, the One True God, thank You for all that You are and all that You do! Where would we be without Your great care? Father, I come before You asking that I be made an honorable vessel for Your use alone. I lift up every longing soul who desires the same thing. LORD You alone can help us and to You alone do we belong. I pray for restoration to those who feel disqualified by past mistakes, past harms, and past wrongs. LORD, I pray that you touch them right now and stir up in them Your Spirit that they may have the strength to endure this race of faith. And Father I ask that you bring low the accusing and condemning spirits that seek to hinder us from our purpose in You. I give You all praise, all honor, and all glory this day and forever and as always I lift up my prayers to You in the blessed name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

This song has been so strong in my spirit lately. A song of longing for God to be forefront in our lives and worshipping Him for Who He is. Praying it blesses you!

"As The Deer" by Eddie James