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Qualified for Service
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“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. 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. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
2 Timothy 2:20–22
Most professions require training to become proficient. Many also require examination, certification, and continuing education. This is not random or arbitrary, but instead is intended to protect those who receive services. I certainly don’t want a surgeon who has never been to medical school or a lawyer who didn’t pass the bar exam working on my behalf. I want someone who is qualified and prepared to do the best possible job.
Service for God also requires qualification, but this qualification is not primarily a matter of the head, but the heart. There’s certainly nothing wrong with education, and all of us should strive to learn as much as we can. But the most important thing that God is looking for is someone whose heart is devoted to Him. “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22).
To qualify for God’s service, we do not have to be brilliant or gifted, but we do have to be cleansed by the blood of Christ and need to walk with the Lord in purity and truth. Just as none of us would choose to drink out of a dirty cup, God is not going to select us for His service when we harbor sin in our lives rather than confessing and forsaking it.
2 Timothy 2:20–22
Most professions require training to become proficient. Many also require examination, certification, and continuing education. This is not random or arbitrary, but instead is intended to protect those who receive services. I certainly don’t want a surgeon who has never been to medical school or a lawyer who didn’t pass the bar exam working on my behalf. I want someone who is qualified and prepared to do the best possible job.
Service for God also requires qualification, but this qualification is not primarily a matter of the head, but the heart. There’s certainly nothing wrong with education, and all of us should strive to learn as much as we can. But the most important thing that God is looking for is someone whose heart is devoted to Him. “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22).
To qualify for God’s service, we do not have to be brilliant or gifted, but we do have to be cleansed by the blood of Christ and need to walk with the Lord in purity and truth. Just as none of us would choose to drink out of a dirty cup, God is not going to select us for His service when we harbor sin in our lives rather than confessing and forsaking it.
Today’s Growth Principle:
If we are not willing to pay the price of sanctification, we will never be fully fit for God’s service.
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