Nov 15

2 Timothy 2:21 says that if we set ourselves to let the Holy Spirit cleanse our hearts, we will be instruments for God's noble and holy purposes, "prepared to do any good work."

In an earlier devotion (Oct. 8), we looked at this matter of God preparing us to do good works. He has known from all eternity (Acts 15:18) that he would create each one of us, and from all eternity he has prepared a distinct personality and gifts to prepare us to carry out the good deeds that he has likewise prepared from all eternity for us as distinct, unique individuals to carry out.

And so it is that 2 Timothy 2:21 concludes by saying that if we will cleanse ourselves from sin through Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and dedicate ourselves to serving God in his noble ways after being cleansed from ignoble things, we will find ourselves made holy and useful to the Master and "prepared to do any good work" -- any good work that this same Master has prepared for us to do from all eternity.

What an incredible truth about reality and our own existence! Who would not want to dedicate himself or herself to such a fantastic destiny! We should strive with all the might within us to be found worthy, through the working of God within us, to fulfill such a noble and worthy purpose.

All are vessels of God, whether fit only for destruction and the fire of his holy judgment, or as cleansed vessels fit for service to him in his holy kingdom. The choice is up to us.

Scripture for today: 2 Timothy 2:20, 21
Thought for today: I am the one responsible for choosing which kind of vessel I will be: a vessel fit only for God's wrath or a vessel of purity, useful to him in his kingdom.
Prayer for today: Help me, Lord, always to choose to be a vessel fit for your noble purposes.

NOV 15