God's Vessels
A DEVOTIONAL BY LEROY EIMS
Today's Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-26
"Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning;for there are some who are ignorant of God--I say this to your shame. " -1 Corinthians 15:34
Some time ago I heard of a young man who took a job working in a post office over the Christmas holidays. He was grateful for the work and really gave it his best. During slack times, he would get the broom and clean up around his work area. Did his coworkers commend him for his efforts to give the government an honest day's labor? No, they said, "What are you looking for, a gold star on your paycheck?"
This same sort of thing happened to me when I was a student at the University of Washington in Seattle. Some of my friends got wind of the fact that I didn't cheat on exams. They thought that was silly, because everybody did it. When I told them I knew it would displease the Lord, they laughed. But I'd made a commitment to live in such a way that the Lord would be honored. That's a decision every Christian should make.
The person who wants to be used of God will soon discover that a life of holiness is an imperative: "If a man cleanses himself...he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work" (2 Timothy 2:21). Christian, do you want to be used of God? Then remember that a pure man is a powerful man.
The apostle John wrote, "Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God." The boldness we need to serve God is intertwined with a holy life. Remember the Old Testament warning: "The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1, KJV). Holiness and usability are inseparable.
Prayer: Lord, by Your Spirit, make my life holy so that I may be used by You. Amen.
To Ponder: A holy life is a powerful weapon in the hands of a holy God.
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Yes Father God, the world may move but we'll stay unmovable in Your great love. Help me today I pray. In Jesus mighty name. Amen!
