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Friday, May 2,
2008
Fit and Ready
2 Timothy 2:19-21 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. (20) 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. (21) 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. (KJV)
Thayer’s definition for meet:
5543
chrestos-
1) fit, fit for use, useful; virtuous,
good
2) manageable
a) mild, pleasant
(as opp. to harsh, hard sharp, bitter)
How fit and ready are you today to give
God’s answer to all those you come in contact with today, whether in word
or in deed? Maybe the reason you are not so ready and equipped for the
Master’s use is because you have been hanging around with a bunch of vessels
who claim they are of God, but in reality are useless dishonorable and
unfit for use. Those that name the name of Christ and become joint
participants of His kingdom will have their senses exercised to know the
difference between what is of God and what isn’t; thus withdrawing
themselves from any evil communications which would corrupt their good
morals. The foundation of God stands sure and so do those that are in
agreement with His plan of salvation and the doctrine of Christ; while the
other vessels are like wannabe’s and pretenders, those that don’t quite cut
it and make the grade, disallowed of our Lord. If you are in a place the
Lord doesn’t want you to be, or surrounded by those that are not healthy to
you spiritually, then you need to purge yourself from these situations as
well as any other unhealthy people that profess to know God, but in reality
deny Him. Like the logo for the marines, God is looking for those, even if
it is just a few good men, to deliver His plan of salvation. And just like
a soldier, someone who has training to carry out His plan even if it means
laying down their own lives for the benefit of others.
Proverbs 25:11-12 A word fitly spoken is
like apples of gold in pictures of silver. (12) As an earring of gold, and
an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. (KJV)
A word fitly spoken will be by those God
says are fit and ready to deliver His words of life. Gold and silver are
examples of vessels that are fit for use, honorable and sanctified for the
master, while those that are unapproved are cheap imitations and not of
much use. Your time and preparation in hearing the Lord and how to deliver
His message, is of much use to the body of Christ. As precious as ornaments
of gold are to the outward, it is precious to our Lord to have a wise man
of His speak a message of reproof to someone that is willing and obedient
to God’s calling. So today, are you that vessel, that go to guy, that is
fit and ready for use or do you need to be benched and sent back to the
practice squad?
Proverbs 15:22-24 Without counsel
purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are
established. (23) A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word
spoken in due season, how good is it! (24) The way of life is above to the
wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. (KJV)
When I think of a words ‘in due season’,
I think of a drink of cool water on a hot day, something very timely and
fitting, delivered just at the right moment when I was getting weak and
faint. Are you prepared with the living waters for a thirsty world around
you, thirsting for truth in a fallen world of lies and deception? A true
counselor will be prepared to give God’s answer whether in season or out of
season, in other words anytime, anywhere; because now is the day of
salvation and now is the accepted time for God’s people to be ready with
His message of hope. What a relief it is to be able to hear the truth that
sets one free from the doubt and confusion that was being hurled our way in
the form of the fiery darts of the wicked one. Is your vessel one of living
waters that is actively flowing forth from the heart watering a dry and
thirsty world around you or has your well run dry?
Isaiah 50:4-5 The Lord GOD hath given me
the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season
to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear
to hear as the learned. (5) The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was
not rebellious, neither turned away back. (KJV)
The tongue of the learned will come from
one that is prepared in the things of the Lord so that they can give His
answer to speak a word in due season and bring relief to those that are
wearied. Are your ears open to the truth or are you looking to have them
tickled instead? Do you seek first the kingdom of God, which is spiritual,
so that you can be prepared not only for what you have need of but for
those you may encounter this day? It takes practice and preparation daily,
learning to hear the voice of the Lord and not that of the enemy. Knowing
and not just guessing how to speak in a timely fashion, in due season, to
those who are in need; presenting a clear written epistle for all to see.
Neither turning away despite the reception; rather being steadfast and
unmovable, delivering the message no matter what the conditions are. Just
because you are not a crowd favorite with mankind doesn’t mean you are not
pleasing to God.
Ephesians 4:14-16 That we henceforth be
no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie
in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into
him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole
body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint
supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part,
maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (KJV)
The Lord describes His people as a body
of believers, those that have prepared themselves in the things of His
spirit and have learned to speak the truth in love which causes the growth
and maturity in Christ. Not only have they heard the truth, but they know
enough of the truth for themselves so that they won’t be tossed around like
children, but rather know how to edify themselves in the love of God. By
your learning to speak the truth in love it will also cause others to grow
and mature in Christ, bringing words of encouragement at a proper time, in
due season as needed. Not only have you learned to grow and mature in
Christ, but you are able to teach others to grow by your example, being
diligent in your preparation to speak words of life.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth;
the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are
spirit, and they are life. (KJV)
Williams New Testament translation
for John 6:63
63.
The Spirit is what gives life; the flesh does not help at all. The
truths that I have told you are spirit and life.
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so is God’s ways much higher than ours. The Lord doesn’t need our help when
speaking His word, and He doesn’t need mans help when it comes to
delivering His message. In fact just the opposite is true; the more we can
keep ourselves out of the way, the more fit and prepared we will be to
speak His word. God’s word is living spiritual waters that bring life to
those that partake and drink of it. Now the question is, ‘will you be one of
His vessels fit and ready for use so that these waters can flow through you
and towards His people?’
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