"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. But shun profane and vain bablings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness and their word will eat as does a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus: who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already: and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord  knoweth them that are his. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour and some to dishonor. If a man, therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work." ( 2 Tim. 2:15-21)

What is service? It means, as a servant, aid, minister, to run on errands, ministration of God, worship (divine) service, to minister to God. In essence it means Father God has given us the means of his Holy Spirit to do divine service unto him. If we do not look at our service  unto God as "divine" we are careless, carnal, and do our service from the flesh instead of by his Holy Spirit. Most of the time, we the body have the mentality that as long as I am doing something in the church building,  I am doing something for God and he is pleased. But how many of you know God is more interested in what you are than what you do? God is not interested in wood and earth (flesh) but spirit. Reread the scripture and ask yourself "what kind of vessel am I?" (vs.19) nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, have this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his, and let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. This scripture is clear and does not need a lot of explaining. However, I must say and I am sure you will agree that people who have named the name of Christ seem to forget who they belong to. How do we know this? Because we as a whole are not departing from iniquity. Iniquity is injustice, wrongfulness of character, life or act, it is sin and unrighteous. We seem to have forgotten " but he (Jesus) was wounded for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed."  So the first requirement in our service is to:

Depart from iniquity. How? By the Word of God. If iniquity or unrighteousness is in your thinking God gives the answer-renew your mind, cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.   If your iniquity is in your members-God says to yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness and to humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. If your iniquity is in your charater, God says to draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you, cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Make up your mind to live unto God. Being double minded is terrible and this is what the world sees. We can't make up our minds if we desire God or what the world has to offer. So then, Monday-Saturday the world sees our choice of "worldliness," then on Sunday they see us as hypocrites because as we gather in fellowship this day-we pretend! Next the Holy Spirit says " but in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor and some to dishonor." In our service to God, we are responsible to God. We are his children-Jesus said, "I must be about my Fathers business." We are accountable to God, for every word we speak and every work we perform. We have forgotten to recognize that if we are converted, then we are commissioned, if saved, then sent. It is because of  the lack of accountability to God that we have become undisciplined and negligent in our Christian walk. We must repent of this great sin. We are to reveal Christ in every area of our life. We have been so indoctrinated to think of Christian service as this work, or that work, until we have been corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For example, a housewife revealing Christ to her husband and children is as much a full-time service as an Evangelist who proclaims the gospel to thousands. A businessman revealing Christ in his or her office is as much a divine service as the missionary on the foreign field. God has no other reason for leaving us on this earth after our conversion, unless it is to serve him in winning and discipling souls. Our area of activity may be varied, but the objective is the same. For some, the pulpit, for others, an office or university campus and for some the uttermost part of the earth. But the objective is the completion of the Body of Christ through every member evangelizing. How we earn our bread and butter is secondary, our primary call is to the same objective that motivated our saviour, " I must work the works of him who sent me."  Our Lord has no usefulness for wood or earth, (flesh). He desires the "some to honor." But not only is it a departing from iniquity, being responsible and accountable to God, but we must use our time wisely. Jesus said I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. He never wasted a moment, and never was caught off guard. So may God teach us to number our days, because time is short and gravity is constantly pulling us to the grave; then our day of opportunity will be gone. Our service must be organized redemptively. Jesus gave us his all, and so must we. Paul said, "so as much as is in me, I am ready (eager, willing, orgainzed) to preach the gospel." Our problem is the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak-we must keep our eye on Jesus. So my brothers and sisters, vs. 21 concludes with "if a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the masters use and prepared unto every good work." Which vessel are you?  If you have been leading a double life and bringing shame to the Master, repent and ask for forgivness, and cleansing and to renew in you a right spirit. If you are already a vessel unto honor but feel beaten down, Jesus says to come unto him and he will give you rest. Resubmit yourself unto him and he will life you up. Amen

(Is. 53:5) (Ro. 6: 19, 12:2) (2 Co. 10:5 , Ja. 4:10, Lu. 2:49, Ps. 90:12)