“If a man therefore purge himself of these…” 2Timothy 2:21
God looks down upon men, and His eyes goes “ to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him…” (2Chr 16:9).
Getting this “perfect heart” is the problem God has had with man.
God’s disappointment with the first world resulted in His lamentations. He made man simple, but he has corrupted himself. He made him holy, but man has become sinful. “The imagination of the thoughts of his heart was evil continually,” (Gen 6:5). His wickedness had filled the earth and all flesh had become corrupted. God destroyed the world. He will not have anything to do with such.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, verse 8. Thus, God found one man who was willing to be different. A vessel God could use to bring judgement and reveal His truth to all mankind. God wanted to save lives through an Ark. Someone needed to build it. He found Noah fit for that use. He built the Ark and saved those who believed. The record is simple: “Thus did Noah according to all that God commanded him, so did he,” verse 22.
The voice of the Lord cried out from heaven, “Whom shall I send and who we go for us?” Isaiah offered himself, saying “Here am I, send me.” Isaiah 6:8. But before this, the prophet was first purged from his sins with a live coal of fire from off the burning altar. He carried on from thence, hearing from the mouth of God and passing divine messages to God’s people the rest of his life, and recording some of the greatest prophesies which foretold the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John saw in the Revelation, One sitting on the throne, and on His right hand, a book sealed with seven seals. Who is going to be able to take the book and open the seals? No one in heaven nor on the earth would dare. The book contains the mysteries of the Kingdom and the perfect plan of the salvation of mankind. Only a perfect Lamb is needed to execute that plan.
John said he cried much, because there was no one able or willing to taste death for everyman.
But a voice assured him, there is one who has volunteered to take and open the seals -The Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world; “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof.” Revelation 5:1-5.
The gospels reveal how Jesus came into the world, preached the gospel of salvation, healed the sick, cast out devils, fed the thousands, forgive the sins of many after dying the cruel death of the cross. It was the will of the Father. He paid the price for all. He was sin for us, who knew no sin. He humbled himself and suffered for the sins of the world. The just for the unjust. Thus, he paved the way for the redemption of man, as the Father wills.
Today, God is still searching for vessels that are willing to humble themselves and make themselves fit for His use. In a great house, there are vessels to honour and there are vessels to dishonour. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwelleth therein.
So, it is God’s world, and it is indeed a great house with all kinds of people of all persuasions and convictions. Yet, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
God cannot use a corrupt man to build a holy temple. Therefore, some could be used for the purpose of dishonour, if the Lord so wished. Pharaoh was used, Nebuchadnezzar was used and many other ungodly persons, by God, albeit for that dishonourable and damnable path that they had chosen.
Paul then writes: “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work,” 2Tim 2:21.
The contamination of worldly living debars the good man from the service of the Lord. How many good men have fallen short of God’s call! Saul the king fell short when he failed to obey God’s commandment and he was rejected of God. How many times men have walked away from God because they cannot meet His requirement! Sin dishonours and renders men unfit for the master’s use.
Purge yourself of sin and the glory of God will cover you. It will make you fit for His work and use. Yes, Paul was injurious, persecuting the church of God and wasted it. But he found mercy and was purged by the blood of Christ. From dishonour, he became a vessel of honour.
You and I can be what God has created us to be(vessels of honour), when we turn away from those things that defile, and put on our white raiment(the righteousness of the saints) and keep ourselves unspotted from the world.
Amen bro Josiah! We need a fully purged ministry and people today: to once again go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature!
“And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” ~ Revelation 10:10-11
Praise the Lord for the privilege that a wretched, worthless sinner like me can be purged and made a vessel unto honour