The Good Dishes

2 Tim. 2:20, 21  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.

Many households, including our own, have two sets of dishes.  The ordinary ones we use every day and the "good" dishes that we reach for on special occasions.

Likewise, Scripture tells us that in a great house, a.k.a. the church, there are also two sets of dishes (vessels).  One ordinary set, the wood and clay, and one special set, the gold and silver.  Vessels for dishonor and vessels for honor, respectively.

The set of  "dishes" to which we belong is based on a choice that we make.  Sin is what defiles us and makes us a vessel of dishonor.  By avoiding (departing from) it (v. 19), we live in the purity and holiness that God desires.  We are to be (become or be found) holy, because He is holy (1 Pet. 1:15, 16), and to present ourselves ready as the cleansed, sanctified vessels of honor that are useful to Him.

Also, realize that gold and silver vessels will endure fire, the trials, temptations and persecution of life.  Wood and clay ones will not.  As vessels of honor, we should not be surprised by the greater trials and temptations and greater persecution that will come.  For as C. H. Spurgeon wrote, "Thieves are most anxious to steal not the pots and wooden vessels, but the gold and silver ones."

When God reaches for His "good" dishes, will you be ready for Him to use?

Sock Monkey Snippet:  Vessels of honor are useful for the Master