Bible Study
Gold/Silver Vessel versus Clay/Wooden vessel
It is true that as stated 2 Timothy 2:21, anyone can become a vessel of honor and grace. But then again, we have this clear distinction between vessels of gold/silver and vessels of wood/clay in 2 Timothy 2:20.
“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. 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.” 2 Timothy 2:20-21. NKJV.
Think about a home set-up, just as is stated in in 2 Timothy 2:20, every woman has different classes of dishes. Some for everyday use, some for entertaining guests, maybe others for major events. Hardly do people use gold/silver dishes in a casual everyday way, …it’s kind of clumsy. And there is really something different about using a special dish on a special occasion. Yeah….
My point is, yes we can become sanctified and honorable vessels, but then God chooses which vessel is for special use and which should be for everyday use. I want to be both. I want to be useful for everyday use in my words, actions and reactions/reactions (James 3:10-11). And I want to be good enough for that special use as decided by the potter. My role here is to always maintain a sanctified state, become completely saturated with the Word, and at all times be ready to release the wisdom and counsel of God.
May we all be like the wise virgins; and have oil in our jars at all times (Matthew 25:3-4). That’s one way to keep the light on.
In absolute terms, vessels of gold/silver are the purest form there is; pure and holy just as God is.
Characteristics of a vessel of Honor and Grace
We have established from part 1 and part 2 that any disciple of Jesus Christ can become A Vessel of Honor and Grace. This is a person embodying a particular quality, attribute, trait, gift or talent for the service of God and the benefit of mankind, who receives and communicates only the wisdom and counsel of God derived from the Word and the Spirit. Any disciple of Jesus Christ can become this vessel (2 Timothy 2:21).
So, a few characteristics of a vessel of honor and grace we can deduce from this study so far include that this kind of vessel;
1. A Vessel of Honor and Grace Is informed by the Word
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babbling, for they will increase to more ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2: 15-16. NKJV.
2. A Vessel of Honor and Grace Is powered by the Spirit
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
II Corinthians 4:7 NKJV
3. A Vessel of Honor and Grace Is not subject to the flesh
“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:3-5. NKJV
“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” 2 Timothy 2:22-23. NKJV.
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:7-8
4. Recognizes its position as a channel, not the source.
This takes away pride and haughtiness.
“and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption”
I Corinthians 1:28-30 NKJV
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
II Corinthians 4:7 NKJV
No place for glorying in oneself, no place for pride, it’s only about God.
My personal experience from work…
A few years back, I was appointed into a position with a job description that included some human resources management. Apart from staff training and welfare, I was also responsible for staff location and transfers, I made recommendations to management for some people to be appointed to certain positions (somewhat like promotions). I would normally have the opportunity to talk with a few of the nominees and probably mention to them what could happen to them next. So, over time, I was privileged to get some persons to more advantageous positions in terms of professional and personal development.
After a while, I just realized that as soon as some of these persons settled in their roles, they forget completely my role in their promotion. Some of them even became competitive and antagonistic. I never quite understood it. Yeah, the process should have been more discreet, yes, but well, it wasn’t. So, these folks knew about my contribution in getting them to the position they currently enjoy. Oh! I was pained most times. Honestly. Especially they try to turn against me.
All that pain ceased from the day I got a reprimand in my spirit that; ‘Hey Grace, you did nothing!!! You were just a vessel. Away with all this, I, I, I.‘
That wasn’t very nice either, but it was humbling and it redirected my attention. Truth is, as soon as I left that privileged position, I had less powers to influence anyone’s promotion (at that level).
Indeed, the power and the glory is of God and a vessel of honor and grace recognizes that.
5. Recognizes that he/she is in partnership with God, building on the foundation already laid by Christ.
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.”
I Corinthians 3:9-10 NKJV
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.“
I Corinthians 3:6-7 NKJV
6. A Vessel of Honor and Grace Is humble and vigilant
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27. NKJV
A temperate person is calm, reasonable and moderate.
To be vigilant is to be careful and watchful of dangers or difficulties.
I believe that, from 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, a humble person would also be vigilant.
“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,” 2 Timothy 2:24. NKJV.
7. Is Always Available for the Master’s Use
“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.” 2 Timothy 2:21
I pray that we are prepared at all times for every good work. Amen.
I have to say that these are enviable traits. As vessels of honor and grace, we should strive to attain these. And if you believe you have attained them, remain in them. Stay pure, holy, sanctified, Worded and always filled and led by the Spirit.
Before I conclude this study it is important to point out that one of the dangers of being God’s chosen vessel is not recognizing one’s exposure to tribulations and attacks from the enemy. The truth and good news remains, Christ already overcame for us and God always takes care of His own. We must allow the word, wisdom and counsel passing through us to others to also impart us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Wow!
Thank you for joining me on this study. Hope you learnt a few things from it.
Please feel free to email any additional thoughts you may have on this topic to graceobomanu@gmail.com or better still, comment directly under any of the 3 articles.
Love Always,
Grace
