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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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