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In a great household, there are many vessels; some are to honour and some are vessels of dishonour. We know this, and the Bible says so. The question is: which vessel are you? There are many ways we can examine ourselves to find out what vessel we are. For instance, we could ask ourselves some questions like:
- Am I a giver?
- Am I a doer of God’s word: Do I seek knowledge of God? What I learn from God, do I put it into practice, in obedience to His word?
- As a servant: In my serving, whom do I serve– God, man or myself? Do I serve with humility or seek to challenge constituted authority?
- Am I a builder or a destroyer?
- Do I sow seed for God to water?
- Am I spent and do I spend for God?
- Am I my brother’s keeper?
- Do I love and treat others the way I want them to love & treat me?
If we are dishonourable vessels, God will not be pleased with us, just like our earthly parents will not be pleased with us. We will become like the outcast in the household; someone the family may not wish to be around the house when certain distinguished personalities visit our household.
In contrast, on the day we were given birth to, the whole family was very joyous. They were so proud of our birth that it was announced to lots of people. These people came and joined our family in celebrating and rejoicing over our birth. Then, they nurtured us with love, protected us and we grew steadily. We continued to develop and we started to think for ourselves. Our minds began to work by themselves: receiving input from our parents, teachers, mates, television and the society at large. It was at this point that the serpent came and counselled us. We listened and made a decision. The decision was not made for us. We made it ourselves, from the information we received. Before that time, in our household, there was no need to identify which vessel we were because, all the vessels were honourable ones. It was also at this point that sin came into our midst, and we fell into disfavour.
Now what does the Bible say about sin? It says:
- The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23);
- The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:4);
- Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1 -2);
- God can not dwell in the presence of sin (Habakkuk 1:13).
In spite of all this, God still wants us. He still wants to use us. He is not a sinner, but He sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins because of the love He has for us. God hates sin, but not the sinner. He does not want any soul to perish. So we have an opportunity to come back into favour with God.
No doubt, we are dirty. Yes, we are sinners. He is the Lord, the Almighty, and He does whatsoever He pleases. And, today, I am happy to announce that it is His pleasure to use you. Can somebody shout Amen!?
I can almost hear somebody say “I am not fit for the Master’s use”. Some are saying “I am not ready, yet”. Do you know what? That is a trick of the devil, to delay the fulfillment of your destiny. Say to the enemy, “it will not work”. Say to Satan, “I can not be fooled again”. What is that thing that you have done, or the sin you have committed that you think is unpardonable? What is your excuse for not declaring for God? Why do you think God does not want you, or can’t use you? Let me tell you something, Satan is a liar and a deceiver. He is the father of lies. He has tried his tricks on other people before you. But, they overcame him and God did mighty things in their lives afterwards. Some of these people you know, and some of their burdens will remind you of your own, for example:
- Joseph, who was abused (Genesis 37:23-24, 28, 36; 39:20)
- Isaac, who was a liar (Genesis 26:7)
- Gideon, who was afraid (Judges 6:14, 15)
- Abraham, who was too old (Genesis 18:11)
- Timothy, who was too young (1 Timothy 4:12)
- Noah, who was a drunk (Genesis 9:21)
- Jacob, who was a deceiver (Genesis 27:35)
- Moses, who stammered (Exodus 4:10)
- Samson, who was a womanizer (Judges 16:1)
- Rehab, who was a prostitute (Joshua 2:1)
- Job, who was bankrupt (Job 1)
- Jeremiah, who did not even know when he was called (Jeremiah 1:5)
- Jonah, who ran from God (Jonah 1:3)
- Elijah, who was suicidal (1 Kings 19:4)
- Naomi, who was a widow (Ruth 1:3)
- Peter, who denied Christ more than once (Matthew 26:69 - 75)
- The Disciples, who fell asleep while praying and could not heal a possessed boy (Matthew 26:40 & 17:15 -16)
- Martha, who was anxious about everything (Luke 10:41)
- The Samaritan woman, who was divorced more than once (John 4:18)
- Timothy, who was sick with ulcers (1 Timothy 5:23)
- Paul, who persecuted God’s people (Acts 8:3)
- Lazarus, who died (John 11:14)
- David, who was a murderer (2 Samuel 11:14-17)
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Writer Profile
Steve
Barr. Stephen Edetanlen is a legal practitioner from Nigeria, currently living in London. He acquired his DSW, LLB and BL from Nigeria. He, also, holds an LLM in International Law from London. He has a passion for contemporary global legal issues and practising law. Many of his written online opinions can be found on his website www.steveinitiate.fusiveweb.co.uk. He likes an intercontinental life, and does not wish to confine himself to a particular country.
By the grace of God, he is a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He presently ministers to the Lord's flock in London.
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