In Paul’s second letter to Timothy he calls on us for purity of character. He wrote, ^“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 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 2:19-21).

The object of the “purging” is that we may be “meet for the master’s use.” “Meet” means fit or suitable for the Master’s use. Christ no longer resides on this earth to accomplish His mission, therefore, He must have earthly instruments, and that is where we come in. Christians are the Lord’s instruments, that is, if they are suitable for His use. The greatest surgeon cannot do his job with instruments that are dull or rusty. Likewise, the will of Christ cannot be done on earth if the instruments are worldly, rebellious, and indifferent.

First, a Christian is a mind through which Christ thinks. As Christians, we dwell in Christ and He dwells in our hearts through faith. Of course, the thoughts of Christ are found in the New Testament, but those precepts do not go into action except they become a part of our thinking. Christ would like to use our minds. But He can’t when our minds are corrupted. If we want the Master to use us, we have to first clean up our minds.

Second, a Christian is a voice through which Christ speaks. Of course, He has spoken to us through His New Testament, but this truth in black print on white pages does not have a voice. Faithful Christians become the voice by which the truth is proclaimed to a lost world. But Christ can’t use voices that are silent. He can’t use voices that speak filth, lies, and error. If you want to be used by Christ, then make your voice available to speak the right things.

Third, a Christian is a heart through which Christ loves. The love of God is plainly set forth in the New Testament. But this love must have instruments by which to demonstrate itself to others. Christians are to make their hearts available that this love may be poured out to others. Hearts filled with corruption, hatred, and envy are not “fit to be used.”

Fourth, a Christian is a hand through which Christ helps. There was a time when Christ could reach out with His own hands to comfort others, but He isn’t here in the flesh today. Therefore, the hands of faithful Christians become His hands to minister to those who need us. If you want your hands to be used of Christ, they must be clean hands. Not necessarily clean from the dirt of honest labor, but clean from the vile deeds of men. Make sure you purge yourself so you can be a vessel “meet for the master’s use.”

W. R. Jones