This choosing creates a unique community of believers who, indwelt with God’s Spirit, are loyal to Christ and will actually separate themselves from any type of entanglement inconsistent with their identity in Christ or mission for Christ–just as the faithful people of God did in Numbers 16 with the Korah rebellion.īack then, the faithful Israelites stepped away from the rebellious liars and committed themselves to Moses and the truth. The New Testament teaches us God is the one who saved us in Christ before time began and called us with a holy calling–not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace. Verse 19, “ Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.’” He calls on Timothy to be a faithful man, chosen of God. Remember where we are in this study–last week, in verse 19, Paul used the rebellion of Korah in Numbers 16 as an example to Timothy. As chapter 2 has progressed, the flow moves from the call to “ be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” in verse 1, to being “ a workman who does not need to be ashamed” in verse 15, in order to be “ useful to the Master, prepared for every good work” in verse 21. Paul informs Timothy, the fruitful believer makes difficult lifestyle choices to be useful to Christ. This will require four weeks to work through. In verses 20 to 26, Paul gives Timothy and each of you nine characteristics or choices to be a usable instrument for God’s glory. And that will require difficult choices which no one will see but God.
DEITY VESSEL MEANING HOW TO
In verses 20 to 26, Paul instructs Timothy how to become an instrument for God’s purposes.
Now in 2 Timothy Paul calls Timothy to pursue a life of integrity–even in secret, living with no compromise, as He wraps up chapter 2 of 2 Timothy. Solomon talked about the danger of little compromises, little sins, when he said in Ecclesiastes 10:1, “ Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.” Just a few flies in the oil ruin it. David said in Psalm 101:2b, “ I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.” The choices you make in private determine your fruitfulness in public. Second Corinthians 5:15, “ He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”Īnd what you do in secret, when no one can see you, and your parents aren’t around, or the boss will never know, or within the walls of your room, actually matters a great deal to God.
You actually live for Christ when no one is looking. How about you? Is your life about looking good or living godly? Appearing like you’ve got it together or following Christ in secret? When Christ causes you to turn to Him in repentance and faith, He gives you a new heart that values integrity. Harris put it, “Since most of us would rather be admired for what we do, rather than for what we are, we are normally willing to sacrifice character for conduct, and integrity for achievement.” Growing into a vessel of honor, a usable instrument–2 Timothy 2:20-26, part 1Īre you more concerned with image or integrity? The appearance of living for Christ or living for Christ when no one sees but God? Our world is caught up with image and appearance–but Christ is caught up with integrity and godliness.
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