The instrument that is used preciously

2Timothy 2:20-21

20In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

Many different people gather in the church or the house of God and carry out various tasks that are allotted to them. The Bible speaks of this through an analogy of “instruments”. Then how can we become an instrument that is used by the owner?

First, we need to become people who correctly distinguish the Word. The apostle Paul taught Timothy to become “a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2Tim 2:15). Here the word “handle” in its original meaning means to “cut correctly” meaning “to accurately distinguish” thus in order to become an instrument that is used within the church we need to first be able to distinguish the Word.

Second, we need to become people who are cleansed. However great and precious a plate may be if it has been soiled with dirt no one will use it. As recorded in 2Timothy 2:21 “those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work”, the secret to being used is in cleansing oneself. When we see Judas Iscariot who sold his teacher be included as one of Jesus’ disciples, he seemed like a good instrument outwardly however he was filled with greed and morally unclean, therefore ultimately he could not become a clean instrument. It is like when Hymenaeus and Alexander who could not hold onto faith and good conscience (1Tim 1:19-20) and like the spreading of gangrene (2Tim 2:17) they made people rot.

Third, we need to become people who are prepared for all good work (2Tim 2:17). Only the person who prepares in advance accordingly for the work that the owner wishes to carry out will receive more love from the owner and will be used (Eph 2:10, Tit 2:14). God has erected people who satisfy these three criteria as the pillars of the church and the pillars of truth or foundation. These are people who quietly keep their place and work like pillars that support a building.

Prayer Title

What type of instrument have you become for God’s use? Pray that today you will be able to distinguish the word and cleanse yourself so that one day you may be able to give yourself to God completely.