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" refers to something similar to a vase or utensil. In most cases, it refers to a common household utensil that is capable of holding something poured into it. Paul speaks of our bodies as “earthen vessels” or clay vases. Peter refers to the wife as a “weaker vessel” when compared to her husband physically. Vessels are useful in many ways, serving 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.” Being chosen implied 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 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 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 fully paid for 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 vessels. As vessels, we have no right to tell the Potter what we want to do with our lives. 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 undertake for the Lord. As Paul served the Lord, he was very conscious of this 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 declaring the gospel to all men. He would be the one to advance 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 God has called us to.  

You are a chosen vessel. Be a faithful representative of the message God has given you to bear His name. 

Have a useful God Morning!   

Reading Schedule: Jeremiah 51-52

#Acts #Vessel