Those who walk in the ways of the Lord, who have been chosen and changed by the hand of Him who made all things, have been changed from vessels of dishonor to vessels of honor. You are now a new creation in Christ, no longer to be used for the detestable things of this world but now used for those things of great honor.
The Lord Himself has performed these changes and has set you apart from this world for His purpose and plan. So put away childish, foolish, frivolous, and wicked ways. To put on maturity, to walk in God’s wisdom, purity, and holiness. The things you once associated yourself with, you should no longer entertain.
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 1 Corinthians 13:11 “Forsake your folly and live and proceed in the way of understanding.” Proverbs 9:6
The Lord has determined your direction and destination. He has laid the right and straight path before you so that you will not stray to the left and the right. You will find God’s way in His Word and should search them out. He calls you to righteousness and to forsake your evil deeds.
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:11-12
Put away all the ways of this world and keep your face toward God. Listen and seek to honor Him above all others. Deal with others in a good and respectful manner. Refrain from falling into foolish and ignorant conversations, debates, and quarrels. They only bring on arguments and fights. The Lord’s servant should not operate in such a way. Be bold with the truth and kind at the same time.
Take Jesus as your example in everything. He did not debate or argue. He told the bold and harsh truth and left it there for people to believe what they may. He never forces anyone to listen. Either they do or they don’t. That is their decision. For the one who wants to quarrel about an issue and words has no understanding from the beginning. You will not be able to change their mind.
Tell the truth of the Word of God. Preach His Gospel using His Law, which is a mirror to the soul. You may attempt to persuade them with godly reasoning and give them the truth they need to hear. But no arm-twisting will get them to listen if they don’t want to. He knows who will turn and follow Him, and He knows who will not. What you need to do is the part the Lord has given you to play. So do your work well for your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and leave them in the hands of the Lord.
Now, in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.
God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:20-26
The Soul Sower 