Vessel

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The purpose of a vessel is to contain something. On becoming Christians, we automatically become a ‘vessel’ containing the Holy Spirit who, because He is infinite (without measure), is able to reside in all other believers at the same time, in contrast to

For what purpose was I designed? 

humans who can only be in one place at one time (Jn 3:34; 1 Cor 6:19). "We have this treasure [the gospel, the grace and truth of God] in jars of clay [our weak bodies] to show this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Cor 4:7). The focus is not on us the container, rather the inestimable worth of the treasure of God’s gift inside. Although the all-powerful Spirit of God is within He will not force His reign in our lives so consequently, because of our choices and values, He may be relegated to just a ‘dark corner’ of our lives, with little opportunity to guide or influence if we continue to act the same way as we did before we were saved. Ideally His sphere of operation in my life should be increasing as my own fleshly nature is decreasing and He becomes Number One (Ex 20:3; Mk 12:30; Jn 3:30). How much true Godlikeness is in me, or am I contaminated by the world?

Jesus said, “Out of your innermost being will flow rivers of living water” (Jn 7:38). As we are a ‘carrier’ of God, the Bible exhorts us to “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18). This is a continual, ongoing requirement for unless the inflow of His life equals or exceeds the

What is my capacity for God?

outflow to others we will dry up. We have received to give away. Is something preventing an abundant, consistent stream of Holy Spirit life coming out of my life to bless others? His invitation is, “If anyone is thirsty, let them drink” (Jn 7:37). There is an infinite supply available and we determine how much we receive by our desire and available capacity. Only to the measure a vessel is empty of one product can it be filled with another. Rather than having an old and stagnant or a meagre, ‘horded-for-me’ supply of so-called spiritual life receive an ever-refreshing daily flow of divine life and be a channel through whom His power and influence flows out, ministering the love and life of Christ to a hurting world. The Dead Sea is just that because although water flows into it, none flows out and as a result, this unappealing body of water doesn’t support life.

Although the Bible mentions Paul as being a chosen vessel to specifically carry the gospel to the Jews and even the kings of the Gentiles, all believers have been chosen and adopted by God (Act 9:15; Eph 1:4,5). As the master potter, God fashions each of us broken and imperfect people into vessels fit for different uses (Rom 9:21). It is our responsibility to come to Him humbly and regularly for cleansing from sin so that we increasingly become a vessel ‘unto honour’, or an instrument for worthwhile purposes, with purified spirit, soul and body (2 Tim 2:20,21).

See also: capacity, channel, Holy Spirit.