Vessels of honor

2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NLT)
20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

In these verses the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy about being ready for special service to the Lord. God can use anyone for His purpose to perform good work. However, there are some because they have kept themselves pure and holy who are used for special service to serve the Lord. It is reassurance that while some falter and fail in their faith there are others who persevere.

A commentary by Matthew Henry on these verses says, “In the church there are some vessels of honor and some of dishonor; there are some vessels of mercy and other vessels of wrath. Some dishonor the church by their corrupt opinions and wicked lives; and others honor and credit it by their exemplary conversation. A man must purge himself from these before he can be a vessel of honor, or meet for his Master’s use. Every vessel must be fit for its Master’s use; everyone in the church whom God approves must be devoted to his Master’s service and meet for his use. Sanctification in the heart is our preparation for every good work. The tree must be made good, and then the fruit will be good.” We choose how we intend to live life. We can either be valuable vessels or vessels for everyday use. May we honor God by living our lives in a holy manner always ready to serve God when He calls.