Becoming Vessels for God's Use Through Scripture
Becoming Vessels for God's Use Through Scripture
The concept of becoming vessels for God's use is rooted in biblical teachings, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Romans 9:21-23, Paul discusses God's sovereignty in choosing certain individuals for honor or dishonor, likening them to vessels [8]. According to John Gill, these "vessels of mercy" are those whom God has prepared for glory, having been made and brought into being by Him [8].
The Bible emphasizes the importance of Scripture in preparing believers for God's use. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" [4]. This underscores the role of Scripture in equipping believers to serve God effectively.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul describes himself as a "servant of Christ Jesus" and a "minister of the gospel" (Romans 15:16; Ephesians 3:7) [1, 2]. His commission to serve was accompanied by the gift of God's grace and the working of His power (Ephesians 3:7) [2]. This divine enablement is crucial for believers to become vessels for God's use.
The process of becoming a vessel for God's use involves spiritual growth and a deepening relationship with God. Adam Clarke's commentary on Ezekiel 47:3-5 illustrates this growth using the imagery of water deepening from ankle to knee level, and eventually becoming a river that cannot be forded. This represents the progressive revelation of God's plan of salvation and the growth of a believer in grace [7].
Believers can access God's grace and mercy through faith in Christ, as expressed in Hebrews 4:16, which encourages drawing near to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace for help in time of need [3]. This access is facilitated by Christ and the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 10:19) [5].
The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentary, interprets the concept of being "vessels" in the context of God's sovereignty and the believer's role in fulfilling God's purposes [6, 8, 9]. According to this view, believers are seen as vessels of mercy, prepared by God for glory.
The Eastern Orthodox and Methodist/Wesleyan traditions also emphasize the importance of spiritual growth and the role of Scripture in the life of believers. While specific interpretations may vary, the core idea of becoming vessels for God's use through Scripture is a common thread across these traditions.
Sources
- Romans “that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. -- Romans 15:16”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 3:7 (BSB) — I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.”
- Hebrews “Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. -- Hebrews 4:16”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 9:15: But the Lord said unto him, go thy way,.... The Syriac version reads, "arise, go thy way"; make no delay, nor any excuse, there is no reason for it; nothing is to be feared from him: for he is a chosen vessel unto me; a choice and excellent one, full of the heavenly treasure of the Gospel, full of the gifts and graces of the Spirit, and so very fit and richly qualified for the use and service of Christ; and was , "a vessel of desire", or a desirable one, as the Jews speak (n): or he was, to render the words literally, "a vessel of election"; both an instrument gatheri”
- Ezekiel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 47:3: He measured a thousand cubits - the waters were to the Ankles; a thousand more, - the waters were to the Knees; a thousand more, - they became a River that could not be forded. The waters were risen, and they were waters to Swim in. I. This may be applied to the gradual discoveries of the plan of salvation, - 1. In the patriarchal ages. 2. In the giving of the law. 3. In the ministry of John the Baptist. And, 4. In the full manifestation of Christ by the communication of the Holy Ghost. II. This vision may be applied also to the growth of a believer in the grace a”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 9:22: And that he might make known the riches of his glory,.... That is, his glorious riches, the perfections of his nature, his love, grace, and mercy, his wisdom, power, faithfulness, justice, and holiness; all which are most evidently displayed in the salvation of his people, here called vessels of mercy, which he hath afore prepared unto glory. They are said to be vessels, and so considered as creatures, made and brought into being; "vessels of mercy", and so fallen creatures, and by sin become miserable, for only such are objects of mercy: they are not called so, bec”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 25:4: But the wise took oil,.... They were concerned for the true grace of God, being enlightened by the Spirit of God; they saw their need of the grace of God, and being directed by him where it was to be had, went to Christ for it; and having received it from him, through the power of the Holy Ghost, exercised it on him; and herein lay their wisdom: for a stock of this in the heart, daily renewed by Christ, will supply the lamp of a profession well. This they had in their vessels, their oil vessels; by which are meant their hearts; so called in allusion either to the v”