The Potter’s Clay – 9 August 2023, Anno Domini

 

H

ATH not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction. (Romans 9:21-22)

 

            The physical body of man is composed of the elements of the dust of the earth. In order to be malleable, these elements require moisture – spiritually speaking, the Water of Life. Without that Water, the clay remains nothing more than dry sand. But when mixed with water, the Potter of Heaven is able to make the clay into whatsoever vessel or design of which He may be pleased to make.

 

            Perhaps one of the greatest errors of the modern church is the preaching of salvation to the exclusion of the Lordship of Christ. The clay must conform to the image of the Potter’s delight. It is, without His hand and will, nothing more than a lifeless lump. Like the lost sinner, it is a thing dead until quickened by the power of the Holy Ghost. It must first be kneaded prior to being placed on the wheel. We must conform to His purpose.

 

            Of course, the Potter not only chooses the clay with which He works His miracles, but also the purpose of the vessel He designs. If the clay conforms not to the design of His intention, He mars it and begins anew His work of art. Who is the designer and who is the object of His work? Ere we were called to the Throne of Grace, we were no more than a formless mass of clay. He chooses the quality of the clay as well as the quantity needed. He places the clay on a Potter’s Wheel in order to create balance as the clay is turned constantly.

 

            You and I are the clay created by God from the dust of the earth. He has carefully chosen and designed each of His chosen for a purpose. His artful Hands have held us within the bounds of His planned purpose as the wheel turns us constantly to form the desired vessel of His purpose. We must all be quickened to become what the Lord desires, and we must all turn from our wicked ways as we were privileged to know the Lord our God. The life of the Christian is a constant turning away from sin and a sure turning toward righteousness. This is still the process being carried out by God, the Potter, in sanctification; for after the vessel is finished, it must be made firm by heat and varnish. But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. Isaiah 64:8 Our trials and tribulations make is stronger as His vessels of purpose.

 

A

RISE, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Jeremiah 18:2-4 Of what value is a vessel that cannot serve its purpose as a vessel in the House of the Lord? We are saved by Grace, not of works; but we are saved unto good works which are the works of righteousness of Christ working through us. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-21)

 

            The finished vessel is not only marred by many imperfections, but also by lack of serviceability. 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 dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 Of what good is faith without evidence of the One who has granted us Grace and Faith? We are to reflect the image of God in our lives and even our bodies. We are not compelled by force to serve, but by an immeasurable love shed abroad in the hearts of all true believers. Love motivates – love exercises active compassion – love is a power that survives death, and it is all we carry with us past the grave to the Judgment.

 

            There is a Seal of God and conversely, a Mark of the Beast. One or the other identifies every soul on earth. The Seal of God is in the forehead which is the seat of judgment, reason, and decision. The frontal lobe of the brain is the seat of moral comprehension and acceptance. It is not on the forehead but in the forehead. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. (Revelations 7:2-3) There is another identity given to those who, in their hearts and minds, reject God and prefer the power of the deceitful arts of the Beast. It is a MARK in their foreheads: And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelations 13:16-17)