1 Thessalonians 4:4-7 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor;… 1. At best a vessel is only a frail thing; let it be of gold or silver, time and use make flaws in it, and its day is soon past. 2. It is a vile thing, being the creature and mere instrument of the hands. 3. To be of any use it must have an owner, and it must be always just what its maker chooses, and must ever do what its employer sets it to do. It may be employed for other purposes, but it does nothing suitably but that for which it was first intended. The putting of it to other work is generally the surest way of destroying it, as when a glass vessel is put on the fire. I. OUR BODIES ARE VESSELS. They are frail enough — made of dust and returning to dust. They can do nothing of themselves; if there be not soul and spirit to put them to use, they are as lifeless and unserviceable as any other, and are put out of the way as useless. II. BUT THEY ARE HONOURABLE AND PRECIOUS VESSELS. Made by the hand of God to contain the immortal soul, and with it the treasure of the knowledge of God. They were made to promote His honour and glory, and when put to any other service they are put out of shape, broken, and destroyed. III. THEY HAVE BEEN DEGRADED AND INJURED BY VILE USES. Does not the commonest experience tell us this? Does not the employment of them in the service of the world, the flesh, and the devil deteriorate them? Do not anxiety, intemperance, impurity, passion, vanity, ambition, derange them with all manner of diseases? IV. IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO TOOK OUR BODY ON HIM, THESE VESSELS HAVE BEEN RESTORED TO THEIR FORMER HEAVENLY SERVICE. Christ is the Saviour of the body as well as of the soul. The Holy Spirit has been given to sanctify the body and keep it holy. V. THESE VESSELS ARE CHARACTERIZED BY ENDLESS VARIETY, according to our different posts and gifts. VI. BEING REDEEMED AND CONSECRATED VESSELS, THE BODIES OF BELIEVERS MUST BE USED FOR GOD ALONE. This involves — 1. Carefulness. 2. Purity. 3. Temperance. 4. Holy employment. (R. W. Evans, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;WEB: that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, |
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