A Most Generous Gift

Read |2 Timothy 2: 20 - 21; Psalm 119: 9 - 16|

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable[a] use and some for dishonorable.[b] So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable,[c] he will be a special[d] instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.​ (2 Timothy 2: 20 - 21, CSB).

The Apostle Paul writes his son in the faith to encourage him to fully inhabit his calling--not merely for his own sake, but for the purposes God is eager to work through him, in order that He might bless many. And in his words to Timothy we see that God also meant to encourage us all when he writes, "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." (2 Timothy 2: 21, CSB). This encouragement begs the question, which opens the ninth verse of the famed Psalm 119, "How can a young person stay on the path of purity?" (Psalm 119: 9, NIV). How grateful we are that the Spirit not only prompted the unknown writer to pen the question, but to provide guidance in the way of an answer--"By living according to your word." (Psalm 119: 9, NIV).

A GUIDE TO STAYING ON THE PATH OF PURITY

Step 1: Make a choice for Jesus Christ. At the onset of a new day, as you open your eyes, let the first words out of your mouth be, "I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word." (Psalm 119: 16, NIV). And in starting your day this way, know that you will need to make this choice again and again, before the sun sets and your eyes close.

Step 2: Sit at His feet. Positioned at His feet, your heart's posture acknowledges that it is in His mouth that one finds the words of eternal life. (John 6: 68). Your heart ready to receive will not be disappointed, because our God is eager to give--to fill to overflow--not only with the truth, but the power to abide in the truth. 

Step 3:  Step forward in faith when the demand for righteousness is made. Trust that He has not only filled you with the knowledge of the truth, but the power to live in it continually by His Spirit. (2 Peter 1: 3). The demand for righteousness is ongoing. Sometimes it appears in the form of a test or trial. But even on the easygoing days, as the children of the Most High God, the call is still to righteousness. After all, we've been delivered from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His Son. We are subject to the One whose way is righteous. (Colossians 1: 13).

Step 4:  Repeat steps 1 - 3, knowing that you do not step in vain. Keep stepping and as you do, you will see that He is making you into the most extravagant gift. He is making you an offering to a dying world. He is making you light to chase the darkness. He is unwrapping you so that the sweet fragrance of Jesus Christ can woo all you pass along the way. And for your life yielded to Christ, your reward will be His joy made complete in you. (John 15: 11). Your reward will be a life filled with reaffirmations of what He  has already done--made you His forever beloved. (John 15: 9).

Dear Heavenly Father, we know that it is your good and pleasing will for us to live a life of righteousness, by your Spirit. We know that a life of righteousness cannot be lived outside of You, so we thank you that for this high call, you also have provided perfect help. Let us be humble to receive the help you provide us. Let us be desirous to live the life you have planned for us, so that Your joy may be complete in us and we may come to bless many. In Jesus' name, amen.