By Steve Sering

The Reverend Billy Graham was perhaps the greatest evangelist of the modern era and reached millions upon millions of people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. One lesser known fact about Graham was his dogged pursuit of being “above reproach” in his ministry. He would have hotel rooms searched by an accountability group and would turn off the cable, with one time yanking the cable out of the wall! Furthermore, he adopted what would later be known as the “Billy Graham Rule,” which required that he never be alone with a women other than his wife. Many thought of this as extreme but Billy knew that Satan was just waiting to pounce on his revolutionary ministry. By God’s grace he never once had a moral failure or scandal during his six decades long ministry. This is amazing (https://jdgreear.com/billy-grahams-ministry-in-four-words/)!

The Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 2 lays the groundwork for usefulness in ministry, employing such extreme measures. To start, Paul writes that servants of God must not get entangled by useless quarrels. It only “ruins the hearers” (v. 14). Every Christian, not just pastors, are to present himself or herself as one approved, unashamed and one who rightly handles God’s Word of truth (v. 15). We are to avoid useless debates about secondary issues and keep the focus on the main thing, the gospel. Paul mentions two men who were leading astray the churches and “upsetting the faith of some” with false doctrine (v. 18.)

Next, the Apostle shares a very encouraging and convicting verse: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity” (v. 19). To know Jesus is to live forJesus. Every believer has times when he or she backslides into sin. I have certainly been there before. The difference between a false believer (a lost person) and a true believer is the trajectory of his or her life. Every believer crashes in sin at times, but then recovers to pursue holiness until reaching heaven. This is the process of sanctification. As the passage states, the Lord knows intimately those who are his. In fact, he has planned their salvation from all eternity! This is the doctrine of election and it is one of the greatest comforts in holy Scripture. Furthermore, the ones chosen by God live for the glory of God and consequently flee from sin.

Finally, Paul gives a real life example to illustrate his point in verses 20-21. During that time, some earthly vessels like pots were made with clay and others with gold and silver. The Bible says that God is the Master Potter and we are the clay (Isaiah 64:8). This means that he is in charge of our lives. If we are living consistently sinful, rebellious, lustful, pride-infested lives, will God use us to advance his kingdom? In one sense, we are all cracked, broken, hole-laced vessels. However, we should always pursue purity and holiness in order that God will use us most fully in the furthering of his kingdom. Just like Billy Graham, we should seek holiness at the greatest cost!

Reflection Questions:

1. Are you living your life to be used by God must fully to further his kingdom? What areas of your life can improve so that you can be a better witness for Christ?
2. How can you help members of your church be better vessels in the hands of the Lord and be “above reproach”?