LESSON 128
VESSEL UNTO HONOUR - PART 2

INTRODUCTION: In part one of this series we learnt that a vessel unto honour must be undefiled. Also we classified the sins that can defile a man unto three categories as (i) sins committed with the hand (ii) those committed with the tongue and (iii) above all, those committed with the heart. Today, as we continue in this series we want to use another classification of sins into three other categories as (i) Sin Against ourselves (ii) Sin against other and (iii) sin against God. In this study, we shall look at the first two categories to discover how they can defile a vessel unto honour and cause its rejection. May the Lord speak to our hearts as we study at His feet in Jesus Name.

1. A MAN CAN SIN AGAINST HIMSELF
To the master of the great House, sin means the failure of a vessel to be what it can or ought to be. That is why the commonest word of sin can be translated to mean a “missing of the target” The parables of the talents, the salt that lost its savor, the fig that refused to bear fruits, etc. are illustrative examples of what the Lord considers to be sin. While men are not expected to be equal in ability or achievement, they are expected to be equal in effort. Sitting on the fence is a sin in the sight of God.

Matt. 25:14-30; Matt. 5:13; Luke 13:6-9; Mat. 7:18; 16:24-25; Rev. 3:15-16.

2. SINS AGAINST OTHERS CAN ALSO BE IN THREE CATEGORIES
(i) it is a sin to fail to respond and react to human need i.e. it is a sin either to see someone in need and remain unmoved or pass by on the other side; or to be so unaware of others as not even to see their need. i.e. it is sin to fail to pity others.
(ii) Secondly, it is sin to fail to fellowship with others because lack of fellowship is brought about by lack of love. A breach with man is a breach with God.
(iii) thirdly, it is a grievous sin to cause others to sin, to put a stumbling block in the way of others.

Matt. 25:31-46; Luke 10:25-27; Pr. 21:13; Matt. 18:21-35; Luke 15:25-32; 16:19-31; Matt. 5:43-48; 5:23; Luke 18:9-14: Matt. 18:6-7.

3. ALL SIN ARE AGAINST GOD
All sins arc actually against God. But in particular, sin is deliberately doing things our own way instead of God’s way. Secondly, sin is showing off, that is putting ourselves in the center of the picture in place of God. Thirdly, since God is love, all sins are sin against love, a deliberate refusal to honour the loving invitation of God, to accept what God knows is the best for us.

Ps. 51:4: Man. 4:1-11; Matt. 15:1-9; 6:1-18: 23:1-12; 22:1-10; 11:20-22; Mark 3:22-30.