What Does It Truly Mean To Be A Vessel Of God?

To live Christ in the actuality of His body, we must be open vessels to the Lord. We must expose our entire being to the Lord in order for the law of the Spirit of Life[1] to work in us, allowing us to experience God and inherit His life and nature.

While there are many paths we can take to become more Christlike, they all boil down to this: we must be receptive to God’s grace and allow Him to transform us into His image.

What Does The Bible Say About Being A Vessel Of God?

Despite the fact that we are all broken vessels, God still views us as being made of earth. To put it simply, we hold the very breath of God within us. Several passages in the Holy Word, from the New Testament to the Old Testament, compare God’s people to vessels:

2 Timothy 2:20–21

Now in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use and some for dishonorable use. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself of what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, and ready for every good work.

Romans 9:20–24

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?

What if God, desiring to show His wrath and make known His power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction in order to make known the riches of His glory for vessels of mercy, which He has prepared beforehand for glory—even us whom He has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?

2 Corinthians 4:5–7

For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. Because God, who commanded, “Let light shine out of darkness,” allowed His light to shine in our hearts so we may see the glory of God as He appeared to Christ, we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

The light shining out despite our brokenness and tribulations is described in this final verse. As the army of Gideon shattered their clay vessels, the victory-bringing light broke forth. God’s glory within us makes all the difference; the condition of the vessel is of no consequence. He does not require us to be whole or perfect; only that we are willing to host His spirit.

We represent clay vessels that have endured adversity. These vessels are broken, fractured, and flawed. Once filled with the Holy Spirit, however, the light of Christ beams through the cracks, painting a magnificent portrait of redemption.

The woman, as the so-called “weaker vessel” (1 Peter 3:7), need not inherently have a negative quality because her reliance on God’s grace to lead people selflessly is the inverse of strength and evidence of the presence of heaven. Women have the innate ability to embrace qualities such as compassionate action and love by exercising their nurturing abilities.

What Does It Mean To Be God’s Vessel?

Being a human vessel requires one to be at peace with themselves and the world, to devote themselves to prayer, and to bear the fruit of the Spirit in all aspects of their life no matter what (Galatians 5:22–23).

According to Genesis 2:7, God created man by shaping him from the dust of the earth and breathing life into his lungs. Proverbs 20:27, which talks about the “spirit of man,” uses the same Hebrew term that Genesis 2:7 uses to describe respiration.

This demonstrates that a person’s soul functions the same way as the air of life that is inhaled through his nostrils at birth. Man requires a soul in order to hold God, so God breathed life into him.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is depicted as a receptacle in the Bible. Though it would have placed her in a difficult position, Mary was willing to do whatever God wanted. Pregnancy before marriage would be a disgrace for her because she had promised to be a virgin when she married Joseph (Matthew 1:18–25). But observe Mary’s reply to Gabriel the angel:

“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her (Luke 1:38).”

How Does God Use Us As A Vessel?

John 16:7, 3–15 states, “I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you… When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.

He will glorify me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you. All the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that He will take what is mine and declare it to you”.

Rather than only one man (Jesus) filled with the Spirit of God, there was suddenly a room full of disciples filled with the same Spirit. Afterward, the numbers began to grow exponentially.

There are currently millions, if not billions, of vessels that God can use to release His benevolence upon the earth. Jesus told his awestruck disciples that they would “do greater things than these,” and now, as a result of the overwhelming number of people carrying the Spirit, the remarkable volume of good works taking place all over the world to aid and heal those who need it is impossible to catalog.

The human being is the embodiment of God’s presence here on Earth. God’s love and service to the world can be manifested through us when we go the extra mile with our words, deeds, hands, faces, hugs, and presence.

The terms Christian (from the Greek word “Christianos”) and Messiah (“Meshichi” in Hebrew) both refer to the idea that we are to live our lives as though we were miniature versions of Jesus Christ.

How To Be A Vessel Of God?

The key to having a meaningful relationship with Christ and the church is understanding that we are vessels and becoming open vessels to God.

Although we may have a lot of head knowledge about Christ and the church, we will never truly experience Christ in the church until we understand that we are vessels and that we need to be available to the Lord for Him to accomplish everything in us, for us, and through us.

What does it mean for a person to be a vessel? It implies that we do nothing but remain receptive to the Lord’s filling us. You, like the apostle Paul, must be an open vessel; you must be an empty vessel so that the Lord can do what He desires in you.

The reality is that we are just empty vessels waiting for God’s hands to fill us with the good things the world has to offer, whether it’s food, education, culture, or something more sinister like narcotics or sexual delights. Our vessel has a never-ending need for nourishment and hydration, and we as vessels will never be content until God fills us with Himself.

We must love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, minds, bodies, and strength, and maintain ourselves completely, totally, and utterly open to Him (1 Corinthians 1:9; 2:9; cf. 16:22).

Summary

God’s intention still hasn’t changed: He still wants to use us to accomplish His purposes, but He desires to do so after first working with us so we can fulfill our duties to Him.

Although we still have free will and the ability to make our own decisions, we do have the soul of Jesus dwelling within us. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to follow Jesus and let Him work through us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does It Mean To Be A Vessel Of God?

Being a vessel of God means embodying and expressing His will, character, and love through one’s actions, words, and thoughts, acting as a channel for His grace and truth in the world.

How Can One Become A Vessel Of God?

To become a vessel of God, one must cultivate a deep relationship with Him through prayer, scripture study, and surrendering one’s life to His guidance, allowing His Spirit to transform and use them for His purposes.

What Is The Role Of Prayer In Being A Vessel Of God?

Prayer is essential in being a vessel of God as it is a means of communication with Him, helping to align one’s desires with God’s will, seek guidance, and receive strength and wisdom.

Can Anyone Become A Vessel Of God?

Yes, anyone can become a vessel of God, regardless of their background or current circumstances, as it requires a willing heart to seek and follow God, allowing Him to work through them.

How Does Being A Vessel Of God Affect One’s Daily Life?

Being a vessel of God impacts daily life by guiding one’s decisions and actions according to God’s will, leading to a life of service, love, and compassion towards others, and a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.