Vessel of Honorনমুনা

Third Day

As we learned yesterday about the different purposes of a vessel, I want to focus on how to accomplish the goal of being a vessel for the right things.

The biggest struggle we as Christ-followers face is to renew our minds so we can think like Jesus. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:16 that we have been given the Mind of Christ. The Mind of Christ is a massive asset in being set apart for God. Again in Colossians 3:2, we need to set our minds on things above, not on the things of the world.

When we jump between worldly and Godly thoughts we will struggle to be effective in God’s Kingdom. We need to allow the Righteousness of God to affect our spirit and affect our thinking. We can overcome this world because we have received the Mind of the Overcomer. Your mind will determine the effectiveness of your destiny and your Purpose on Earth.

One of the things that Paul writes to Timothy that is pulling us away from the Mind of Christ is to lend our ears to “…foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.“ What you lend your ears to will fill your thoughts and control your attitude. Your attitude will eventually make you useful for the Master or not. Paul actually says we need to “avoid” these types of disputes.

To avoid something means to stay away, to maintain a safe distance. When a warning sign in a zoo says “Stay away from the fence, there are lions inside”, it means that if you come close to the fence or the cage there is a risk of losing a limb or even your life. We need to have that same attitude with foolish and ignorant disputes. A gossip or a slander story might not kill you instantly, but before you know it your mind is changed and your attitude is unfruitful.

As the Body of Christ, we have to be set apart for a Greater Purpose in God’s Kingdom. We cannot afford to look, sound, and smell the same as the world. These arguments that we lend our ears to will divide, divert, and destroy friendships, relationships, and even ministries.

So how do we deal with these obstacles in the Christian faith in order to be set apart for the Master’s use? If we look at the example of Jesus, then we can see that He used rebuke when necessary (John 8:47), He also remained silent (John 8:6, Matthew 15:23). He asked questions (Mark 11:28-29), He pointed them to Scripture (Mark 10:2-3), He answered them in stories (Luke 7:40) and His ultimate response was in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:43-47). We ought to never take revenge (1 Peter 3:9) and we should always be vigilant to the trap of pride (Romans 12:3).

We should always be ready and willing to give to others the Grace God gave us and never respond in the flesh or become those who instigate a foolish and disputing argument ourselves.

Always have the goal in mind, of being a vessel for God, set apart for His Good Work. When you don’t live by the Spirit, your flesh will rule and your goal will not be accomplished.