"Meet" Vessels

In Acts 13 & Romans 9, we find a common subject in both texts; “the purpose of God”. Consider how it applies to us today.

Of David it is stated in Acts 13:36 that, “...after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers …”

An observation:

While no one knows when time on earth will end, each of us will die (as David did) once our lives have served the purpose of God in our generation. Every human being is a vessel in the hands of God. Depending upon whether your master is Jesus or Satan, you are either a vessel of mercy or a vessel of wrath.

We see both ‘vessels’ mentioned in Romans 9:21-24:

21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 

22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,

23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 

24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?

Some examples of each:

David was a vessel of mercy (Acts 9:22 – God…raised up David…of whom he testified…‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will’.” Others:

Noah (Gen. 6:9) – N

Abraham (Gen. 18:19) – 

(Gen. 26:4-5) – I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”

King Saul, on the other hand, was a vessel of wrath (for the opposite reason – see 1 Sam. 15:23, 26 – “ ).

Here in Romans 9, the Pharaoh in Moses’ day was a vessel of wrath; verse 17 reads, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you…”) ~ Exod. 9:16

So also, King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel’s day (Dan. 4:17)

So also, King Cyrus in Ezra’s day (Ezra 1:2)

As the Psalmist stated in Psa. 75:7, “…it is God who executes judgment,putting down one and lifting up another.”

Consider, “Which type of ‘vessel’ am I?”

The ONLY true way to answer that is to look at your life in view of Christ’s. His life was & is the ONLY life worthy of compelling another to live.

Discipleship is not an option, but a requirement. True Christianity is NOT based upon personal faith or personal preferences! (As shown from the examples of Romans 9)

It is a common practice to give testimony via successful personal pursuits such as sports etc.; thus we see the “TEBOW BOW” popularized and the giving of “praise/glory/honor to Jesus who allowed them to do what they loved…”]. 

(We need to remember, success is NOT a true gauge of Divine approval; for again, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and Cyrus ALL prospered for long periods of time.)

In addition, people who are taught Protestant Theology, view faith as personal; NOT common (Jude 1:3). That is because Protestant Theology declares truth to be relative; NOT absolute! That’s why we hear them speak negatively of ‘judging’, when pressed on their convictions. (John 7:24- judge w/righteous judgment)

What about you…do YOU view your life in this manner?

True Christianity…i.e., true discipleship follows Christ and calls upon others to say as the apostle Paul said, “Follow me, as I follow Christ…” (1 Cor. 11:1).

Ask yourself:

- Are you living a life that you actively compel others to follow?

- Are you passive, keeping your faith to yourself, allowing others to ‘find’ what “works for them”?

- Do you eagerly desire Christ to return? If not, why not?

Therein, you have the answers as to whether or not you need to make any changes in your own life.

copyright 2017

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