BECOMING A PURIFIED VESSEL SET ASIDE FOR EVERY GOOD WORK
Christianity. Do you identify as a “Christian” ? WHY ? It is used by a plethora of people, and yet when you ask them what they mean by it, you get a myriad of answers. ” I believe in Christ ”; so do demons. Anything more profound” I was raised in a Christian home ”; so association is the key. “ I go to church ”; for what purpose. “ I am Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist ”; so denomination membership is the important factor. LETS GO DEEPER. What makes you a Christian ? “I read the Bible ”; for what purpose and how often. “I am a good person and I know the Ten Commandments; do you ever break them. “ I serve in my Church “ toward what end. The term “Christian” is used three times in the Bible, primarily to identify those who “Followed” the teachings of Jesus. Small at the beginning, Christianity now finds 2.4 Billion people who are members of its ranks…a lot of people indeed. Identifying as a Christian is one thing, but what does it MEAN to truly FOLLOW JESUS ? The important thing to recognize is that IF you are following Jesus, there are a number of important things to realize on the journey to Maturity and Growth in your Faith. Following JESUS requires an Intimate Relationship with Him ! A deep abiding love for Him, and a strong Thirst to know Him and Serve Him. A Recognition that YOU must be reborn; die to your old self and abide in HIM. HE IS YOUR IDENTITY. He is more than your savior, He is your LORD AND KING. In His time on earth, His message was straightforward. LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, SOUL, AND MIND. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. WORSHIP GOD AS HALLOWED (Revered and Honored). PRAY THAT HIS WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. Jesus was all about Glorifying the Father, and showing mankind that a renewed Heart was the key to LIFE in God’s Kingdom. Following Jesus isn’t just a name we associate with, it is a unique Calling and Identity that takes effort, growth, and maturity. JESUS MUST BECOME YOUR EVERYTHING !
NO ONE CAN COME TO ME UNLESS THE FATHER WHO SENT ME DRAWS HIM AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP ON THE LAST DAY. IT IS WRITTEN IN THE PROPHETS: AND THEY WILL ALL BE TAUGHT BY GOD. EVERYONE WHO HAS LISTENED TO AND LEARNED FROM THE FATHER WILL COME TO ME - NOT THAT ANYONE HAS SEEN THE FATHER EXCEPT THE ONE WHO IS FROM GOD. HE HAS SEEN THE FATHER. TRULY I TELL YOU, ANYONE WHO BELIEVES HAS ETERNAL LIFE. I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE. John 6:44-47
FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND, THAT WE MIGHT WALK IN THEM. Ephessians 2:10
AND HAVE PUT ON THE NEW SELF, WHICH IS BEING RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE AFTER THE IMAGE OF ITS CREATOR. Colossians 3:10
BUT KNOW THAT THE LORD HAS SET APART THE GODLY FOR HIMSELF; THE LORD HEARS WHEN I CALL TO HIM. Psalm 4:3
The scriptures above make a few things very clear. God The Father draws us to His Son Jesus, that we will be raised up into His Kingdom. It is a GIFT TO US, but we must Listen and Learn ! In Christ, we are Created for Good Works ! Not drawn into relationship to sit around waiting for a ride to heaven, but to DO GOOD WORKS ! A New Self ! We don’t continue to live in our same old behaviors and habits. WE CHANGE TO EMBRACE WHO GOD IS ! We are set apart. WE become something different that puts us on a Journey to Purification. A Journey to Sanctification into Righteousness and Holiness as we GROW IN CHRIST ! We move in action and work, deepening our trust and reliance on our KINGDOM IDENTITY AND PURPOSE. We become Purified Vessels that JESUS USES FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. YOU BECOME A “CHRISTIAN” WHO IS SET APART ! It is way more than just a name spoken by someone who addresses a “religious identity” question. A Purified Vessel can come in many types and sizes. A purified vessel must be “cleansed” from what is dishonorable; made instead for honorable use; set apart as HOLY; USEFUL to the Master Of The House; Ready for Every Good Work ! THAT DEFINES WHO GOD EXPECTS US TO BE. It is truly a Journey that WE MUST MAKE IN CHRIST….we cannot make it by ourselves. Following Jesus means “STRIVING” toward Purification in HIS STRENGTH which will be powerfully driving you ahead if you are truly HIS. If you really think you are a “Christian”, it is good to know what you are looking at to MEET GOD’S STANDARDS, because they might be way more than you bargained for:) a mentor told me the most significant thing one day when we were discussing our journey toward maturity….”We are both on a good trajectory, but we still have a long ways to GROW !”
THEREFORE, IF ANYONE CLEANSES HIMSELF FROM WHAT IS DISHONORABLE, HE WILL BE A VESSEL FOR HONORABLE USE, SET APART AS HOLY, USEFUL FOR THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE, READY FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. 2 Timothy 2:21-22
NOW IN A GREAT HOUSE, THERE ARE NOT ONLY GOLDEN AND SILVER VESSELS, BUT ALSO WOODEN AND EARTHEN, AND SOME INDEED UNTO HONOR, BUT SOME UNTO DISHONOR. 2 Timothy 2:20
I APPEAL TO YOU THEREFORE, BROTHERS, BY THE MERCIES OF GOD, TO PRESENT YOUR BODIES AS A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE TO GOD, WHICH IS YOUR SPIRITUAL WORSHIP. Romans 12:1
The Truth is that GOD really doesn’t measure us by our Words. God measures us by our Actions that reveal the STATE OF OUR HEART. Are we FIT, or Unfit for use ? Are we HONORABLE, or dishonorable ? EVERY VESSEL can be either, dependent upon our HEARTS CONDITION. The least of us can be the most POWERFUL VESSELS FOR GOD ! The shiny vessel can find a life of sin and destruction ( fallen leaders for example), just like someone caught in sin, poverty, and hopelessness, Jesus entered the world as a helpless baby, born in a manger…not in a Palace. The apostles were all men who struggled in their vocations, actions, and faith,,,but they GREW AND CHANGED THE WORLD ! WE NEED TO GLORIFY JESUS CHRIST. WE NEED TO BRING GOD”S WILL TO EARTH. JESUS gave us the WAY and the TRUTH, and the LIFE. WILL WE EMBRACE IT ? Let’s get to WORK :(
GROW IN CHRIST/JAA
I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME. AND THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVES ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME. Galatians 2:20
SHALOM/PEACE BE YOURS IN CHRIST !