27 January 2 Timothy 2

2 Timothy 2:20-21(AMP) Now in a large house there are not only vessels and objects of gold and silver, but also vessels and objects of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honorable (noble, good) use and some for dishonorable (ignoble, common). Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable -disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.Paul writes that a Christian can become a vessel for honourable use, by separating himself from sin. Clean, set-apart vessels are useful to the master of the house. The Master is a reference to the Lord. When we look at Scripture, we see many vessels God used for special purposes. What are the qualities of the people God uses greatly? Paul challenges us to be someone God can use for special purposes. To be greatly used by God, we must:- Pursue a godly characterThe word ‘pursue’ can also be translated ‘to run after’ or even ‘to persecute’. When one persecutes another, it means that he keeps attacking that person. In the same way, no matter how many times we fall, we must keep getting up and pursue godly character.2 Timothy 2:22(NLT) Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.Proverbs 24:16(NLT) The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.- Pursue righteousnessTo pursue righteousness is the way of life, because righteousness delivers from death.Proverbs 10:2(NKJV) Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death.Psalm 92:12-15(NKJV) The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.We are made righteous in the eyes of God by the blood of Jesus. Our sins are forgiven through His death and resurrection and our acceptance of that free gift, and God sees us as righteous. This is called justification.- Pursue faithFaith refers both to being faithful and to trusting God. We must become people who are dependable in God. Those who are faithful with little can be trusted with much. God will give them more responsibility. However, we must also constantly pursue greater faith in God.Hebrews 11:6(NLT) And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.- Pursue loveTrue love means saying No to a self-centered life. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7(NKJV) Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.True love means saying Yes to a love-directed life. Ephesians 5:1-2(NLT) Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.- Pursue peacePsalm 34:14(NLT) Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.C.S. Lewis said: “God can’t give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing.”John 14:27(NLT) “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.In and of ourselves we can’t be useful vessels, but God is more than able. As we allow Him to fill us, we can fill the world’s empty spaces by using what He has given us. When we offer all that we have, no matter how small and inadequate it may seem, we can trust God to use us.