One day at the home of my mother-in-law, we noticed she had stacked dozens of dishes on her kitchen counter. Apparently one of her grandchildren had asked for some dishes!
The interesting thing about dishes is that they come in two types: “China” and “Everyday.” Lots of couples choose dishes for their wedding registry, and friends shower them with butter dishes, chargers, creamers, and gravy boats, some for everyday use, some for special use. A busy family’s kitchen is diverse—you may have paper plates, reusable plastic, your original “Everyday” dishes, and a mis-matched hodgepodge of Southern Living at Home, Fiesta, Blue Willow, and fancy China.
Paul uses this variety of dishes as a metaphor:
“Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable [chamberpots]. So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. So flee from youthful passions….” 2 Timothy 2:20-22.
Have you ever wondered what sets people apart? Why two with similar skills, talents, and gifts may live such different lives? I have often wondered whether the difference was sin. Just as a bowl that could have held delicacies for a king is transformed into something else after one use as a chamberpot, so a heart harboring sin can cause someone to live a different life than he might have otherwise.
But Paul argues it is not too late: “If anyone purifies himself from the dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work” 2 Timothy 2:21.
I believe if we will purify our lives, cleaning out the “dishonorable,” God will bless us and use us for “every good work.” I don’t know about you, but I would rather be the king’s wine goblet than his chamberpot!
May God help us take purity seriously! I am going to start by making these verses my next memory verse.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 