Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Dec 20, 2024 - Useful to the Master”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsUseful to the Master
Reading: 2 Timothy 2:14-26
This section reminds us that the gospel has always been connected to controversy. Timothy needs to “avoid irreverent babble”(2 Tim 2:16). Paul warns him about “Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened”(2 Tim 2:17-18). There are always “foolish, ignorant controversies”(2 Tim 2:23) floating around. And Timothy definitely will have “opponents” whom he will have to correct “with gentleness”(2 Tim 2:25). Considering such a minefield of unpleasantness could make Timothy timid, so Paul urges him to focus on himself: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth”(2 Tim 2:15). Timothy cannot solve all the world’s problems or answer all the world’s questions, but he can do his work and handle God’s word properly.
Paul illustrates this personal focus by describing a homeowner and his dishes. “Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work”(2 Tim 2:20-21). Our cups and plates serve different purposes. Some cups are unworthy of great guests. Others are too nice for everyday use. If we cleanse ourselves from dishonorable things, we become vessels with honorable uses, “set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house.” God can use us. So Paul warns Timothy to “flee youthful passions”(2 Tim 2:22) and foolish controversies, behaving himself with kindness and love. God can use Timothy if he will keep himself pure.
There is no higher purpose for any human being than to be “useful to the master.” I can actively submit myself to his service, a tool in God’s hand. To do so, I must maintain purity, wisdom, patience, and kindness. God can use us if we keep ourselves pure.
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One Thing to Think About: How is God using me?
One Thing to Pray For: The humility to allow God to use me
