Vessels For Honor

When God made man in his own image, he did so in order that he could have a personal and meaningful relationship with them. No plant, animal or any other living thing had this privilege. God gave us mind, emotions and will because He has a mind, emotions and will. When God looked at them he saw his reflection. As living vessels they were to bring glory to him by doing his will.

That relationship was soon broken by sin and the image was broken. We have inherited this sin nature which has been passed down through the generations.

But God in his foreknowledge already had a plan to restore man to a place of honor. He would do so by defeating the very thing that brought dishonor to man - sin and its resulting death. The Son of God took on human flesh and took our penalty for us by dying for our sins. He rose again the third day and by doing so provided a way for our relationship with God to be restored. All who have trusted Christ as their Saviour should consider themselves as vessels ready to be used by the Saviour.

It is God's desire that all his vessels live holy lives and be useful for the work he has given them to do. In other words to prove by their life that they are vessels for honor. (Rom 6:12-13, 2 Tim 2:19-21)

The Greek word skeuos translates into the word vessel or implement. As vessels we are to be God's tool to bring glory to him. We do so by reflecting Christ's image, which in turn points others to him. By doing this we point them to God. In order to be useful and effective vessels for him, there are several principles to keep in mind.

The first is that God chooses how to use his vessels. For example, Paul was given the task of missionary. In Acts 9:15 God called Paul a chosen vessel to carry his name to the Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel. He was also given the task of revealing a mystery that had been kept hidden for many generations - the church and its doctrine (Col 1:26-27).

Believers have the responsibility with the help of the Lord to determine how God wants to use them. Once that is determined we are encouraged to stir up the gift that is within us (2 Tim 1:6). God wants willing and obedient vessels.

The second principle is that not only are we to be willing and obedient vessels; we are also to be aware of what qualifies or disqualifies a believer for service.

First, there must be a deliberate choice to forsake sin and offer our members to God. While it is true that we will never reach perfection in this life, a believer should be progressing in the area of holiness. We must be willing to depart from sin in order to be ready for the master's use. (2 Tim 2:21; 1 Th 4:4; Jam 1:21; Jam 4:8) Anything less results in a defective tool, a useless vessel.

Secondly, there must be humility in the believers' life. (Jam 4:10) A recognition that we are nothing more than sinners deserving God's wrath and an eternity spent in hell. Seeing God's grace in our own lives we will realize that God deserves all the credit for what we are becoming.

Third, we must ask for wisdom (Jam 1:5-8). The Christian life lived in the power of the flesh is impossible. We must walk after the Spirit or we will fail (Rom 8:1, 12-14). Reading God's Word and spending time in prayer each day will give us the spiritual food and wisdom we need to be useful vessels for him.

Finally, God has chosen the weak and foolish things in the world so that no flesh will glory in his presence (1 Cor 1:27-29). There is nothing honorable about us. The honor comes from our association with him. We are weak, He is strong. We are sinful, He is holy. Apart from him we are just useless vessels.

Yet in order to show that the power comes from him, he chooses weak vessels such as us to accomplish his purposes. In doing so our service becomes honorable. For example he has entrusted the gospel to us (2 Cor 4:7). We bring the message to the world but it is God's power that saves people (Rom 1:16). As vessels we are to fade into the background so people will see Him. We must decrease so that He will increase.

One of the greatest joys in the believers' life is to be aware that God is using them to accomplish His purposes. What a privilege that is.

One of His highest purposes is to present to His Son, His bride the church. When that happens we will have the joy of reigning with Him and sharing in His honor and glory. We will be vessels of honor for the whole world to see; all because of what He has done for us.

In the meantime God help us to be willing, obedient, qualified vessels that will bring honor and glory to him.

George Ferrier

1999