That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour. — 1 Thessalonians 4:4
Every teenager is excited to have the opportunity to learn to drive. There’s such a thrill about being able to get behind the wheel and think about the independence and freedom that awaits. The disappointing part for many comes when they learn about the responsibilities that come along with that freedom. Perhaps it’s the need for a job to buy gas or the care that is needed to protect your life and others around you.
There’s also this thing about car maintenance. Most teenagers believe you can simply get behind the wheel of a car and drive. They never think about the tires, brakes, oil changes, and all the things that go into having a car. They simply think about the drive and the freedom.
As we get older, we learn about the need for proper maintenance. We have to take care of our cars, or eventually, we learn a more difficult lesson about expensive car repairs! While the Bible may not specifically have a lesson for us about car maintenance, it does talk about our ownership of our vessel or life.
As Paul writes here, he says that the church must know how to possess their vessel in sanctification and honor. He is sharing that they should not pollute their lives with things of this world. They should work to keep it clean and in proper working order for God.
As we think on this today, how are we maintaining our vessel? Do we maintain our lives in a way that we live set apart for God and in a way that would honor God? God has blessed us with our life, and we only have one life to live. Our desire should be to maintain it in a way that pleases Him!
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