Dishonour

<<bring shame too>>

The Bible impies that there are vessels (people) in God's house (family) of differing qualities and consequently used for different uses – some honourable, others dishonourable (2 Tim 2:20). As humans, we all begin as vessels of dishonour because of the inherited sin nature. Even after salvation when the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us, we repeatedly sin, bringing dishonour both to Him and to our character, so we must be continually cleansed by repenting (1 Jn 1:9). Thank God, for the blood of Jesus deals with our confessed wrongdoing.

By taking a greater responsibility and being proactive, the Bible says “If a person cleanses themselves…by turning away from wickedness…” they can become a vessel of honour (Eph 4:22-24; 2 Tim 2:19,21; 1 Jn 3:3). This is not negating repentance (which will remain a necessary spiritual discipline until the day we die) rather it is the outworking of discipleship to apply ourselves to purge and purify what is defiling and dishonouring by coming into increasing victory over sin and Satan – what Jesus died to gain for us (1 Jn 3:8). We were once slaves to sin, but now we are to become slaves to righteousness (Rom 6:19,22; 2 Cor 7:1). Through the power of the cross we can be radically transformed and come into a closer resemblance to that of Jesus and what God intended before sin entered into the world (Rom 8:29). We are to walk morally upright to ensure we do not dishonour the name of God by our wrong (ungodly or carnal) actions and lifestyle (Prov 30:9; Ezek 36:20).

Our physical bodies are “sown” in dishonour because of sin yet will be raised in power and glory at the resurrection ready for heaven (Ps 51:5; 1 Cor 15:43,44).