An Instrument for Noble Purposes

Today's reading was in 2 Timothy. It has been too long since I've read it fully. Paul is clear in his instructions to Timothy that he is to be an "instrument for noble purposes," juxtaposing the idea with instruments of "ignoble" purposes. The former are of "gold and silver," while the latter are of "wood and clay." No one cleans a toilet with a gold or silver scrubber. No one considers using wood or clay implements to dispense the Lord's Supper, or adorns themselves with such for a night on the town.

However, what caught my eye was the element of individual election in the process. Each of us has a choice concerning which type of instrument we will be. This further complicates the Church landscape for the pastor - or for the layman. Not only is there both wheat and chaff within the confines of the worship service (as distinct from the Church, the body of Christ), but there are also people who choose, as Christ-followers, to accept nobility or ignobility.

"If a man 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." (2:21, italics mine) This is a strong follow-on to the last admonishment in verse 19: "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." Further, given the warnings about Hymenaeus and Philetus in verses 17-18, it appears that there are those who, having left good doctrine and shunned the teaching of their superiors, will not remain within the body at all. The wickedness that underlies false teaching is a panoply of pride, ambition and deceit.

Of all that I read in 2 Timothy today, and having never really paused at this point in Scripture, this is what struck me today. Perhaps I am in the process, quite belated, of "cleansing myself." There are wicked and foolish things in my life that have been hindering me from full usefulness. I could mourn the time lost and the efforts wasted over the years during which I have vainly pursued empty things, but I choose instead to rejoice that God has finally reached me. Indeed, Luther's saying comes to mind: Pecca fortiter! Sed fortius fide et gaude in Christo.

Sin Boldly! Only the more boldly still, believe and rejoice in Christ. What a sinner I have been. I have been dauntless in my trespasses. How much more now ought I to believe and rejoice!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and kow my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24

Lastly: It is interesting that our lost soldier apparently has a pagan "faith" background. His wife has requested a pagan priestess perform the funeral service. How odd that I come upon this set of verses as I ponder how I am to participate in the Military Honors portion of this funeral. Clearly, I shall turn away from wickedness.