House of Hope Online

March 30, 2025

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Last week we discussed a word the Lord gave to my wife Nancy about laying aside bitterness, wrath, and every other sin and encumbrance that weighs on us.  Instead, we are to fix our eyes on Jesus.  We talked about Jesus’ death on the cross, and the scripture tells us, at that moment, the veil was torn.  That veil is a reference to the thick curtain that formerly separated God’s people from the Holy of Holies, that secret place deep in the presence of God.  In the Old Testament, only the High Priest could enter there, and he was permitted only once a year to offer the blood sacrifice for sin.  However, when Jesus died, that veil was torn and we were given full and complete access to the Throne Room, the presence of God, where we can worship and fix our eyes on Jesus.  Last week’s word encouraged us to put aside all the noise of our lives, run inside the Throne Room, and bow down in worship of Jesus.

This week, the Lord again spoke into Nancy a word from 2^nd Timothy 2, a very rich passage of scripture which teaches us how to be effective in every good work and how to be vessels of honor for Him, and not vessels of dishonor.  This is a very timely word for us as we navigate our way through these troubling days.

2^nd Timothy 2:

 20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.

 21 Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these [things], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. (NASB)

I love verse 20 – in a large house there are many vessels, some gold, some silver, some wood, etc.  Vessels of wood and earthenware will not last; they will not last over time; therefore, they are not as valuable as gold and silver. 

What kind of vessels are we?  In our large world, some vessels honor, and some dishonor.  Verse 21 encourages us to cleanse ourselves, and become vessels for honor, sanctified and useful to God, prepared for every good work.  The word “sanctified” means purified and consecrated. The word “consecrated” means dedicated to a purpose.  Within the context of verse 21, it means if we cleanse ourselves, we will be vessels of honor, useful to the Master, dedicated to and prepared for the purpose of every good work.

Those of us who are wondering about our purpose in life should take note here.  We are sanctified and dedicated to every good work of the Lord.  He has work for us right where we are.  If you are in a dry place right now, just know you are sanctified and dedicated to every good work.  God has work for you.  If your job is challenging now, know that God has prepared a work for you in this season, that you should walk in it.

Cleanse Yourself

Notice in verse 21, to be sanctified we must cleanse ourselves from “these things.”  What things?  The answer is given a few verses earlier.

2^nd Timothy 2:

 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.

 14 ¶ Remind [them] of these things, and solemnly charge [them] in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, [and leads] to the ruin of the hearers.

 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.

 16 But avoid worldly [and] empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

Remember Paul is writing to Timothy and advising him about ministry.  In verse 14 Paul says Timothy should remind the people of “these things.”  The expression “these things” refers to wrangling about words, or entering into strife and disputes over worldly issues, a useless endeavor leading to the ruin of the listeners.  We are taught in verse 16 to avoid “worldly and empty chatter,” which leads to further ungodliness. 

This is an important warning from God: engaging in chatter over the worldly issues of our day will lead to further ungodliness.

Part of being sanctified is being separated from the worldly.  As sanctified vessels of honor, we are to separate from worldly and empty chatter.  We are to be different than the way of the world, and we should be naturally opposed to the logic put forth by those in the world.  I know it is hard to be the outcast, but verse 15 says if we are diligent workers, there is no need to be ashamed, as long as we handle accurately the word of truth.  Let that sink in: instead of trying to be popular, we need to focus on accurately handling the word of God.

Because we are called to this important work, 2^nd Timothy 2 goes on to say we should flee from youthful lusts and instead pursue the weighty matters of life.

2^nd Timothy 2:

 22 ¶ Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love [and] peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.

 24 And the Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,

 26 and they may come to their senses [and escape] from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Verse 22 tells us to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.  In other words, avoid wrangling over worldly issues with those who do not call on the Lord with a pure heart.  Unless one is calling on the Lord, such wrangling is a useless endeavor, leading to the ruin of any listeners (see verse 14).

Verse 23 warns against engaging in discussions over foolish and ignorant speculations, which produce quarrels.  Ignorant means unlearned or unaware, and speculations refers to disputes or questions of the day.  Now understand the context here. Verse 23 is talking about a worldly view from those who do not call on the Lord.  Therefore, they are ignorant of the word and their opposition is mere speculation.  You speculate when you do not know with certainty.  If one is not calling on the Lord, they are speculating.  Paul is telling us to refrain from debates with those who do not call on the Lord and are therefore not aware of what the word of God says about a matter.  Ignorant speculations only produce quarrels.

Verse 24 instructs us not to be quarrelsome, but to be kind, able to teach and patient when wronged.  So, when someone says something about us as Christians, referring to us as judgmental, or even calling us haters, we are to be patient when wronged, and we are to be kind to all, able to teach.  Being quarrelsome, and not being kind, means you are not able to teach.

Verses 25-26 are profound.  We are encouraged to gently correct those in opposition, if God grants them repentance leading to knowledge of the truth.  There needs to be repentance from those in opposition.  That doesn’t mean they need to apologize to us.  It means they need to repent before God, and that only happens if God grants it.

There is an important lesson for us here.  When we encounter those in opposition who do not call on the Lord for wisdom, we should pray that God would grant them repentance, opening the door to gentle correction, which will lead them to the knowledge of the truth, whether it comes from us or someone else.  Verse 26 says God may grant that they come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Closing

Instead of being angry toward those in opposition to the word of God, have compassion for them because they are snared by the devil.  Remember verse 13: even if they are faithless, God remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.  God cannot help but be faithful to us even when we are faithless, so let us pray for the opposition.

Let us pray.

Father God, thank you for calling us to be vessels of honor in Your house.  We repent and ask You to cleanse us from sin, including wrangling about words and engaging in worldly and empty chatter, leading to further ungodliness.  Help us to flee youthful lusts, including the desire to be popular, and lead us by the Holy Spirit to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.  Help us to refuse ignorant speculations.  Let us be kind to all, able to teach, and patient when wronged.    

We lift up those in opposition that You might grant them repentance.  Give us a gentle spirit in correcting them, leading to knowledge of the truth.  We pray they would come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil who holds them captive.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.