Command the Raven

2 Timothy 2:21 [show/hide]2 Timothy 2:21 [21]Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. (ESV)
[RSV]
A vessel for noble use.

The worker engaged in rescuing people from the snare of the devil, into the will of God, is the man who has purged himself from all that is ignoble. Timothy’s personal life would make him usable in this rescue work, according to whether he was marked by three essentials, which come in v 22. First, ‘Flee youthful lust.’ Turn your back on them. Run away. Many a good man has fallen at the moral hurdle; but there are other lusts included here as well. Flee them. Yield no ground to Satan. Be the man of God, and turn away. Secondly, ‘Follow after…’ or, ‘Aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace.’ Youthful lusts behind your back; righteousness, faith, love, peace ahead of you as you follow after them. Righteousness that pleases God; faith that trusts God; love that reflects God; and peace that diffuses God. And how do I see these four things, to follow after them? I keep them there. And then, thirdly, the fellowship of all who are doing the same: in fellowship with all who ‘call upon the Lord.’ No isolation.

Are you ready to take up your task of rescue work in the world? These three things will make you ready: Sin behind the back. Christ before the face, and comrades at your side. You do not carry lust with you: you leave it behind. You do not forget your glorious example: You set Him in front. And you do not presume to go alone: you go with all those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Flee, follow, fellowship: these are the marks of the worker engaged in rescue work in the world. – H.W. Cragg: The Man of God: [iii] Equipped, 1973.

- Daily Thoughts from Keswick