A Chosen Vessel
Today’s Verse:
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: ~Acts 9:15
What comes to your mind when you hear the word “vessel?” In the Bible, the word “vessel” implies something similar to a vase or utensil. In most cases, it has the idea of a common household utensil that has a capacity for holding something poured into it. Paul speaks of our bodies as being “earthen vessels” or as clay vases. Peter refers to the wife as a “weaker vessel” physically, compared to her husband. Vessels are useful in many ways as containers or as utensils for household display. God referred to Paul as “a chosen vessel.”
We see a vessel that is special.
God called Paul “a chosen vessel.” The word “chosen” implies that he was special, precious, valued, and prized. Even before Paul started serving God, he was special in the eyes of the Lord. All of us are very special to the Lord. All of us have great value to God. God sees potential and possibilities in our lives that are far beyond any vision that we could have for ourselves. Mary of Bethany came to Jesus with an alabaster box of precious ointment. The alabaster box was special. What was inside of that box was special as well. We must keep in mind that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost. Like Paul, we are chosen vessels.
We see a vessel that is selected.
“For he is a chosen vessel unto me.” We have been paid for in full by the precious, shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have been bought with a price. God is the Potter and we are the vessel. As the vessel, we have no right to tell the Potter what we want to do with our life. We are subject to whatever He wants to do with and through us. Our selection is for God’s glory. Our selection is to serve our generation by the will of God. We must remember that we have not arrived and must press toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
We see a vessel that is sanctified.
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). Sometimes, our vessel will get dirty. A dirty vessel can be a dishonorable vessel. Thus, our vessel needs purging and cleansing in order for us to be fit and useful for the Lord’s use and for every good work. We must confess our sins and come under the cleansing power of the blood of Christ every day and before any work we endeavor to do for the Lord. As Paul served the Lord, he was very conscious of this truth each day of his life.
We see a vessel for service.
“For he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” God’s design for Paul’s life was that he would impact his world through his declaration of the gospel to all men. He would be the one advancing the gospel into the Gentile world. He would be given access to kings and influential men. He would reach his own people, the Jews. Paul was uniquely equipped and enabled by God to reach all men of his generation with the gospel. Our greatest significance is being used of God to get the gospel to groups of people to whom God has called us.
You are a chosen vessel. Be a faithful representative of the message that God has given you to bear His name.
Have a useful God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Jeremiah 46-48