GOLDEN VESSEL

2 Timothy 2:15-21
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

An Approved Worker

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.

19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.”

20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

Exhorters are people who spur others on to higher levels of achievement. This was Paul’s role with Timothy. Paul exhorted Timothy to be a gold vessel in a great house … clean … polished … ready to be used by the Master for a noble purpose.

Is there someone you know who you might be spurred on in Kingdom work by some exhortation from you?