December 30th
3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 NKJV
20But 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. 21Therefore 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. 22Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:20-22 NKJV
“Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness” Romans 6:13 NIV
God cares about you and is working everyday to draw you to himself. One of the ways that God works is through people. He shines his love through people to reach others who really need it. Someone who has received Jesus Christ into his heart will naturally want to get involved with the Father’s work no matter what his or her “worldly” occupation may be. In a sense, all of us are in the ministry of serving God. If God used fisherman and tax collectors, he can certainly use factory workers, data entry clerks and anyone else to work for him.
Each of us has the amazing opportunity to join God in his work on earth. God looks for people who have set themselves apart from the world in order to be used by God. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Paul explains that God wants us to set ourselves apart for him by abstaining from sexual sin (lust, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, etc.). Our sexuality is very important to God because it has the potential of corrupting our bodies, which are literally temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:12-20). When we sin sexually, we defile God’s temple, grieve the Holy Spirit and risk incurring the many possible consequences.
In 2 Timothy2:20-22 Paul explained that God will use those people who cleanse themselves from dishonor (i.e. sinful practices). They will become “vessels for honor”, which are sanctified, useful and prepared to work for God. When we yield to God as a vessel of honor, we can then experience the true joys of knowing God.
If you desire to be a vessel for honor for God, you can get started by offering yourself each day to God to be used for his purposes. Then, as situations come up throughout the day, look for God’s hand working and join him. If you’re presented with temptations, remember your commitment you made that morning and stick with it. Keep your vessel honorable!
Questions for further thought:
In addition to setting ourselves apart from sinful practice, what other actions did Paul recommend for becoming a vessel of honor? (2 Timothy 2:22)
What dishonorable practices do you need to cleanse yourself from?
How do we obtain cleansing from our sin? (1 John 1:9, James 5:15-16)
When we haven’t set ourselves apart from sinful practices, how can that affect our work for God and those people we’re in contact with?
Prayer:
“Lord God, thank you for the invitation to become a vessel for honor. I confess any sin that I have tolerated in my life right now: _____________ (list). I turn away from that sin and ask for your forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Jesus Christ. Thank you, Lord! I present myself to you today as your vessel and the members of my body as instruments of righteousness. Please strengthen me to resist the temptations that may come my way today. Please help me experience the full spectrum of joy in knowing you. Thank you, Father! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”