December 22If a man therefore purge himself … he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work — 2 Tim. 2:21.
If a man desire honor from God, let him not fail to seek it in God's appointed way—along the pathway of humility; for the Lord gives His favors to the humble. If you would be a vessel fit for the Master's use and a vessel of honor, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and He will exalt you in due time. Do not be in a hurry about it either; but "whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might," beginning and ever continuing to cleanse your earthen vessel, that it may be fit for the Master's use—Z '02, 319 (R 3096). The things from which we are to purge ourselves are those that constitute the filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit. This implies that we rid ourselves of evils that root not only in our bodies, such as uncleanliness of person, tobacco, liquor and drug habits, gluttony, unchastity, etc., but that root also in our minds and hearts, such as error, unbelief, despair, irresoluteness, impatience, impiety, unbrotherliness, selfishness, pride, vanity, cowardice, laziness, strife, hatred, insincerity, covetousness, etc. A leading part of our Christian warfare is our fight against sin, error, selfishness and worldliness, whereby we overcome evil and purge ourselves. Such purging is done by the activity of the holy Spirit and strengthens this Spirit. It makes us honorable before God, sets us apart to Him, fits us for His service, and prepares us for every good word and work. To all of us, especially to the Pilgrims and Elders, the charge applies: "Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord"—P '32, 197. Parallel passages: Lev. 21:6; Isa. 6:5-8; 52:11; Jer. 15:19; Matt. 20:25-28; Rom. 2:21-23; 1 Cor. 5:1-8; 6:9-20; 11:28-32; 2 Cor. 6:3-7, 16-18; 7:1; 13:5; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3, 4; 1 Tim. 3:1-15; 6:11; Jas. 3:10. Hymns: 105, 44, 20, 125, 130, 229, 267. Poems of Dawn, 181: The Master's Touch. Tower Reading: Z '02, 318 (R 3096). Questions: What have been this week's experiences in line with this text? How have they been met? What have been their results? |
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THE MASTER'S TOUCH
IN the still lute the music lies unheard;
In the rough marble beauty hides unseen:
To make the music and the beauty, needs
The Master's touch, the Sculptor's chisel keen.
Great Master, touch us with Thy skillful hand;
Let not the music that is in us die!
Great Sculptor, hew and polish us; nor let,
Hidden and lost, Thy form within us lie!
Spare not the stroke! do with us as Thou wilt!
Let there be naught unfinished, broken, marred;
Complete Thy purpose, that we may become
Thy perfect image, Thou our God and Lord!
IN the still lute the music lies unheard;
In the rough marble beauty hides unseen:
To make the music and the beauty, needs
The Master's touch, the Sculptor's chisel keen.
Great Master, touch us with Thy skillful hand;
Let not the music that is in us die!
Great Sculptor, hew and polish us; nor let,
Hidden and lost, Thy form within us lie!
Spare not the stroke! do with us as Thou wilt!
Let there be naught unfinished, broken, marred;
Complete Thy purpose, that we may become
Thy perfect image, Thou our God and Lord!
