Vessels

2 Timothy 2:19-21
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

In every household there are vessels used for a variety of purposes. We need to look carefully at the word vessel as it is used in Scripture. The original Greek word here has the following definition in the Strong's Concordance.


Definition
a vessel
an implement
in the plural
household utensils, domestic gear
the tackle and armament of vessels, used specifically of sails and ropes
metaph.
a man of quality, a chosen instrument
in a bad sense, an assistant in accomplishing an evil deed "Vessel" was a common Greek metaphor for "body" since Greeks thoughtof souls living temporarily in bodies.


As I was praying one day, I saw in the spirit a grouping of vessels. I was told by the Lord that these were vessels in His household. I asked which was I and He showed me which vessel I was in this grouping. My heart was encouraged as it made all of the trials and refining processes that I had gone through seem much more endurable. Then I saw some vessels that were highly refined gold and richly ornamented. These were so very few! I wondered at that. The Lord showed me that a fine gold vessel was the vessel that He was transforming me into. As I was now, I was a goblet for fine wine of ornamented silver. This greatly encouraged me and He spoke peace to my heart at where I was in my journey with Him. I was encouraged by seeing the refining process I have thus far experienced was not for nought, yet I saw that more refining was needed. The Lord knows just how to edify His people. Had He showed me this vision earlier in my walk with Christ, I may have fallen into Satan's snare of pride. Yet, had He shown me at an earlier point in my life how much refining that He had to do within my life I would have been overwhelmed!

According to this and other sriptures, we choose to cleanse ourselves. Anyone who understands the nature of redemption knows that we are not to do the work of cleansing ourselves. It is the Lord's work to cleanse us. Is this contradictory? No it is not! The Lord showed me that we do the choosing on yeilding to the sanctifying process. My prayer continually is, "God, have your way with My life! No matter what that looks or feels like." We need to continually yeild to this refinement process.

In a house are many vessels. The Amplified version states there are some for noble purposes and some for ignoble purposes. In my home I have mop buckets, compost buckets, vessels for grease and for holding my toilet brush and catching leaking water. In the Old Testament temple they had very utilitarian vessels as well. These held blood, cleaning water, debris, etc. I choose to go through the refining process and cooperate with it so I can become a vessel unto honor. My desire is to be a fine vessel that holds new wine. To do this I must make a choice to depart from iniquity and submit with a cheerful heart whilst in the refiner's fire. Isit easy? Nobody said it was easy! Is it worth it? I look for a city and to hear the words, "Well done. Enter into the joy of the Lord!" If you believe in eternity it is worth it to count this life as temporary.


wanita