Holiness: Crystal and Silver
Holiness: Crystal and Silver.
HOLINESS: the state of being set apart to serve God’s best and highest purposes; the noble process of being cleansed in order to increase one’s usefulness to God; purification through the Holy Spirit to reflect God’s purity; the high calling of separating one’s behavior from the common and worldly, and pursuing instead the gospel values of Jesus.
What does it look like when a believer is set apart, is made holy and sanctified? Holiness looks something like this: Suppose there is a palatial house that is stocked with everything needed to manage the household… utensils and bowls and kitchen implements needed for special occasions, as well as for every day use. Special occasions deserve crystal goblets and silver platters, golden dinnerware and china cups. These valuable utensils are employed to truly bless the guests and reflect the honorable intentions of the homeowner. The special utensils used for banquets will not be confused with the common instruments for everyday use. Only the cheap utensils are used every day, when there is nothing special being enjoyed. Only scrap wood and common clay is used to make these everyday utensils. Only the cheapest of materials is used for waste cans and compost buckets, for bowls that are merely filled with everyday food cooked with common ingredients. The master of the house wants his expensive utensils used for his special occasions, for the best he has to offer his guests. The master has a whole pantry of these valuable utensils, they are all set apart for the master’s banquet table, dedicated for only the highest purposes of the master. These utensils are not to be used for cold leftovers and watered-down wine. The expensive utensils must be scrupulously cleaned and kept separate from the chipped wooden bowls and clay pots and tarnished metal dinnerware. The cleaned and polished utensils are to be kept ready for use at a moment’s notice, reserved for the master’s beck and call.
Likewise, believers are called to be set apart for the Master’s highest and best use. Followers of Jesus were bought with a price, they are valuable and expensive, and they are called to be set apart from common, everyday use. God has called us to be dedicated for a higher calling than common existence. It’s true that all the Master’s utensils, special or common, are made in His image. But once one believes, the believer is called to rise above mere worldly usage into the honorable and noble calling of the Master’s reserved instruments, no matter what that would be. The special kitchen ware are set apart from common usage, separated from the everyday world. And we are to dedicate ourselves to the Master’s high calling. Believers are to remain clean and pure by running away from youthful indulgences, from anything that stimulates immature ambitions and desires. We are reserved for mature aspects of character needed for the Master’s use, qualities like righteous behavior, stable faith, deep love, and consistent peace. As special utensils we chase after such qualities. This higher calling involves character, not career. A saint who digs ditches is being put to a higher use than a CEO who is enslaved to common worldly desires. A minimum-wage laborer who demonstrates God’s character is indeed a special utensil in the Master’s house, while a multi-millionaire living a self-indulgent life is merely a chipped wooden bowl filled with tasteless porridge. One more thing about being a sacred instrument for the Master: It takes a variety of special utensils to fully provide a Kingdom feast… crystal, silver, china and gold coordinated together to fulfill the Master’s desires. So enjoy the friendship and fellowship of all those other special utensils who live for the Master with pure hearts and willing service.
“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes, and some for ignoble. If a person cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:20-22, NIV).
Take my life/ Holiness – Scott Underwood – YouTube