Clay for the Potter’s Hand
Romans 9:20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against
God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me
like this?" 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same
lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
If you belong to Christ, you are an ambassador for the
Kingdom of Heaven, and your life should be a living testimony to those around
you. We are not all called to be pastors or evangelists, but there are many members
to the body of Christ, and we are called to be faithful to the ministry that
God has placed us in. God is the potter and we are the clay, if we will allow
His Spirit to have His perfect work in us, then we will be vessels of honor
that He may work through. A potter is an artist that molds, and shapes vessels
into many forms, for many different uses. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to
refine us or set us apart from the world, so that we may be usable for the
Kingdom of Heaven. If we live a sinful lifestyle, then we will be vessels of
dishonor, to be destroyed, by the potter. For the wages of sin is death, but
there is forgiveness through Christ, if we repent and turn from sin. The Bible
also gives us examples of people who were vessels of dishonor, like pharaoh
king of Egypt, whose heart, was hardened by the Lord, so that God could show
the world His miraculous power. Through His foreknowledge, God knows who will
be vessels of honor or dishonor, however we still have a freewill. We must
choose this day, whom we will serve.
If you do not know where you fit into the body of Christ, I
suggest that you pray, as well as fast, for an answer. When a person goes on a
fast, they are showing God that they desire heavenly food, more than earthly
food. When you seek after God, as well as, put his Kingdom first, He will
reveal his plan for your life. God’s timing is perfect, but we sometimes get
impatient waiting upon the Lord to open doors to ministry. A Christian
preparing for a ministry, does not need a theological degree, or any training
from man- made institutions. However, we are to study God’s Word to show
ourselves approved, a workman who is not ashamed. We need to get alone with
God, and allow his Holy Spirit to teach us the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven. I
refer to this time of Spirit led training, as the wilderness experience.
There are many
examples in God’s Word, of holy men who left their home towns, and spent time
in wilderness locations, or foreign lands, being taught by God’s Spirit. After
being water baptized, the Spirit led Christ into the wilderness, to be tested,
and tried, by the devil for forty days and nights. Christ fasted during this
time of testing, and fought off the devil, by quoting scripture. After this
time of preparation, Christ began his ministry. We are not above our master, if
Christ, was tested, and tried by Satan, we will also, most surely be tested.
When Moses was forty years old, he fled pharaoh, and dwelled in the land of
Midian for another forty years, before beginning his ministry at the age of
eighty. During his forty years in the wilderness, God was purging Moses of his
former life in Egypt, and preparing him to be a vessel of honor that he might
work through. The wilderness experience is a time, when the potter molds and shapes
his vessel into the object that he desires. Joseph is another example of a man
who was hand crafted by God for a great purpose. When Joseph was seventeen
years old, he was sold into slavery, by his brothers. After the incident with
Potiphar’s wife, he was thrown into prison, for thirteen years, until the day
he was brought before Pharaoh. This time of preparation for leadership was
necessary, for Joseph to be the humble man, useable for God’s purpose. When
Joseph’s wilderness experience was concluded, Pharaoh made him governor over
all of Egypt, and he prepared for the time of famine.
After his road to
Damascus encounter with the risen Christ, the Apostle Paul also had his time of
preparation for ministry. Paul did not confer with any man, nor did he go
immediately to Jerusalem to see the apostles. Instead, Paul went into Arabia
for three years, to be taught by God’s Spirit, before going back to
Jerusalem. When he returned to
Jerusalem, he stayed with Peter for fifteen days, and also met with James the
brother of Christ. Then Paul went into Syria and Cilicia, for another fourteen
years, before he presented himself to the churches in Judea. It was by revelation from God’s Spirit, that
Paul knew when it was time to present himself to the Judean church. A true
vessel that God can work through, is taught, and led by God, not man, nor man-
made institutions. Man- made theology stifles the Spirit, as well as shuts
people out of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Galatians 1:15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who
separated me, even from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, 16
to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles;
straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 neither went I up to
Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia;
and again I returned unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to
Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days. 19 But other of
the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20 Now touching the
things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Then I came
unto the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown by face unto
the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 but they only heard say, He
that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc; 24
and they glorified God in me. Galatians 2:1 Then after the space of fourteen
years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. 2
And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach
among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any
means I should be running, or had run, in vain.
