CONSECRATED FOR GOD
Opening Prayer
Lord God, it amazes and humbles me that you have redeemed me and called me to serve you. Help me to stand firm in my faith and to give myself completely to you.
Read 2 TIMOTHY 2:20-26
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
We need to be consecrated vessels for God, to be used by him.
In verses 20 and 21, Paul urges Timothy to be the kind of person Christ could use for his noblest purposes. For this he uses the examples of vessels in a large house, of different kinds and materials for different purposes. Paul has often pointed out that all Christians are important and all have their own gifts.1 Whether you are clergy or lay, a teacher, preacher, Sunday School teacher or a youth leader, or have other kinds of gifts, God can use you. Paul gives five characteristics of godly vessels, which we can apply to us as God’s leaders.
First, we must be clean: a dirty vessel is no good. The godly person must first be sanctified by accepting Jesus and his salvation. Second, the vessel must be an instrument for special purposes. This means being available for the Lord to use. Are you available today? Third, the vessel must be made holy. In other words, a Christian must be separated for God’s ministry, like the vessels in the temple. Fourth, a vessel must be useful to the Master. A broken vessel cannot hold wine. To be useful you must also be ready to train yourself for the job as God leads – and keep learning. Finally, a vessel must be prepared to do any good work. We cannot lay down conditions to God – we must be ready to go anywhere and do anything he wants. Paul told Timothy be ready to ‘preach … in season and out of season.’2 Are you ready? God showed this to me and I had to start preaching during my travels in India – so I carried a few sermons in the back of my Bible.
If you want to be a consecrated vessel for him and be of service to the Lord, you need all five characteristics.
Apply
Pray to become consecrated vessels for the Lord, useful and prepared to do any good work.
Closing prayer
Mighty God, it is my heart’s desire to serve you. If there are things in my life that dishonor you, show me and convict me of my need for repentance. Let nothing stand in the way of my being a vessel worthy for honorable use.
1 1 Cor 12 2 2 Tim 4:2
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