I watched them as they came in for the first class of the new quarter. Some came in with their close friends … some simply made their way in to find a seat somewhere. There were some who were smiling, some perhaps a little nervous, some simply ready to see how the class was going to be.
These same descriptions apply to every age. As a teacher, you watch, observe, you have prayed and prepared yourself to present an interesting, truthful and applicable lesson.
Every teacher is different … every student is different … but we are all vessels that have already been started in the process of being shaped and formed by the master’s touch.
That same touch is described in God’s Word as the “potters touch”. And I wondered as I watched them walk in … as I always wonder … have they already allowed themselves to be shaped by the Potter or have they been resistant to His touch?
I can’t judge another’s heart, and neither can you! But we can observe the conduct, the words, and the manner of dress, the attention or lack thereof, and the interest or indifference of each.
There is only one Master Potter and that is the Lord. His sovereignty and absolute goodness ought to never be questioned. How God deals with mankind in general and each individual is God’s prerogative (Jeremiah 18:6-8)
In the context of Romans 9:21, the apostle Paul by inspiration brings to the attention of the reader the fact that we, that is, mankind, have no grounds upon which to question God or His actions!
We can have the confidence to believe that He will always want for each of us what is best! But by reason of the blessing of free will, we can choose to willingly surrender to His will and to His way!
But by reason of the blessing of free will, the other side of the coin is just as significant. Each of us can choose NOT to willingly surrender to His will and to His way!
The choice implies the potter we want shaping and forming our hearts and lives! We may become good people who are honest and fair with others, yet unwilling to approach God by His Son and obey His will.
Are you developing and becoming through your choices, attitudes, words, actions and your very life … “a vessel of honor?” Or, are you developing and becoming through your choices, attitudes, words, actions and your very life … “a vessel of dishonor?”
It is not going to be God’s fault if when this life is over the pronouncement is made that we will be lost for eternity! It will be the result of refusing to be shaped, and molded by the Master Potter!
So, when you walk in to a Bible Class and take a seat, do you reflect the Potter’s touch?
When you walk in to a Bible Class as a teacher, do you reflect the Potter’s touch?
Awareness needs to be emphasized because there are other potters out there … those who want to shape our lives into what they want our lives to be … those who have evil intentions … and those whose hands just don’t need to be in some way or another shaping, molding and fashioning our lives in to something or someone that cannot and will not meet with God’s approval!
Only God knows what is best for each of us! May we learn the truth and relevance of this principle and treasure it up in our hearts and reflect it in our daily lives!
So the take away for each of us to reflect on is this: Living in this world, our lives ought to be a reflection of the beautiful character of our wonderful and powerful God … character that shines in the darkness of an evil and selfish world!
“And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17, NKJV)
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
No comments yet.