"If A Man Cleanses Himself..."

[dave c]

HEALING SHELTER MINISTRIES #131aw Written 06MAY09

Save Me Today—Part Forty Nine: “If A Man Cleanses Himself…”

by rev dave c

I have some bad news: We are not created equal. We are not the same size with the same abilities and opportunities. We do not have the same desires and proclivities. Obviously we are not created in the same time and space. I would like to be an NFL linebacker with the intellect of Einstein, the creativity of Picasso, the drumming abilities of Keith Moon, the voice of James Earl Jones, the evangelical gifting of Billy Graham, the poetry of Robert Frost, and the insight of Ravi Zechariah. No, God did not create me to be any of those things. I’m afraid I have to settle for being pretty. Pretty old...pretty fat...and pretty bald. I do, however, firmly believe that the ground before the Cross is level—and that in spite of what far too many theologians, commentators, and preachers teach regarding God creating some people predestined to go to heaven and creating some people who can’t. I do fervently and absolutely believe that when it comes to salvation we are created equal. Jesus is truly an equal opportunity Savior and Lord.

If that’s true, how then do we explain such passages as Romans Chapter Nine beginning with verse 18? Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. 19 One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" 20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble [“valuable, esteemed to the highest degree, dignified, honorable, precious”] purposes and some for common [“disgraceful:--dishonorable reproachful, shameful, vile”] use? (NIV). There are those who over-confidently teach that this is a statement that God creates some people to be saved (i.e., “for noble purposes”) and He creates some people who will be inevitably allowed to go to hell (i.e., “for common use”).

What are we to do, then, with Second Timothy Chapter Two beginning with verse 20? 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 . 21 If a man cleanses [“to cleanse thoroughly; purge”] 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 (NIV). The original terms used here for “noble” and “ignoble” are identical to the Greek used in our Romans Chapter Nine quote of the last paragraph (“noble purposes” and “common use”). There are those who say that Paul is telling Timothy (and by extension all believers) that he (we) should “purge” himself from those who teach false doctrine (as well we should); or that he (we) should “purge” himself from those within the Church who are judged nominal Christians (“my denomination can beat up your denomination”, or even “my pew is more righteous than your pew”); or, possibly, he (we) should “purge” himself from the unsaved (now that is just plain anti-Great Commission). We see in these last two possibilities the spiritually philosophical root that bears the fruit of doctrines and attitudes that separate brothers and sisters in the Lord from each other, and/or isolationist fellowships striving to keep the unwashed and unworthy from their doors.

What if Paul is not only telling Timothy (us) that he should cleanse himself from false teachers, but that he should also prayerfully consider what’s inside the cup (Mt 23:26)? However God created me, what if God is saying to me as He did to Cain, “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted” (Ge 4:7; NIV)? Or to Israel, “...If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2Ch 7:14; NIV). Or to the rich young ruler, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Mt 19:21; NIV). Whether I was created from gold or from wood, if I do what is right, if I humble myself and pray and seek His face and turn from my wicked ways, if I unburden myself from anything and everything that stands between God and myself, if I prayerfully cleanse myself from internal evil—then I can become an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

The verses immediately following Second Timothy 2:20&21 lend support to the position that Paul was at least as concerned with his young ward’s inner life as with outside influences. For example, verse 22 says: 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 (NIV). Those who really, really want Christianity to be only for an exclusive few might read the second portion of that sentence as evidence that we are to avoid sinners (whether outside, or inside the Church) and pursue relationships only with people whom we judge righteously saved. Instead, what if Paul is telling us that, “just like everyone else who calls on the Lord out of a pure heart, we should flee the evil desires of youth”...etcetera?

I am not advocating salvation by works. I know absolutely that salvation comes through faith alone in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the acceptance of His proffered mercy and grace. I also know that salvation is open to anyone and everyone who will (decide to/choose to) come drink of the water—whoever, wherever, whenever, and however he or she is conceived and born. In Acts 26:20 Paul gives all mankind these instructions: “Repent and turn to God and prove your repentance by your deeds”. This was in direct response to Christ’s commission: I am sending you to [the Jews and the Gentiles] to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified [set aside] by faith in me (Acts 26:17&18; NIV). While there are those who are set aside by Christ, all are invited to come join Him in eternity (Jn 17:20). The requirement for salvation being belief, acceptance and obedience.

[rspastor]

Thank you for this post. I really enjoyed it. The comments on salvation were great and from that I thought of how we can also rise from whatever circumstances we may have come from into a better future.

I'm not sure if I'm gold or wood, but I'm glad God finds uses for both.