It is amazing to watch a potter. As the person takes clay and fashions it after his will, we see the dimensions of that piece of clay changing before our very eyes. Then, when hardened, the clay is properly molded.
We are a lot like that clay. We are mere human beings. Only One of us that ever walked the earth and lived this life was Sinlessly Perfect, and that One was God in the Flesh, Himself, our Savior, Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:21-24). We are created in the Image of God, as people with an ability to reason and to do right or to do wrong (Genesis 1:27). In fact, there is nothing that can separate us from God, except choosing to do wrong. Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” As long as we choose to do right, we are in Fellowship with our Father (I John 1:7).
While it is true, that all except Jesus Christ, have fallen short of the glory of God by sinning, and while it is true that we are not sinlessly perfect, we do have the capacity to choose to do right (Romans 3:23). In fact, we must choose to do right, and do it (James 1:22). The only ones who will go to Heaven to be eternally happy are those who do right, because those who choose to do wrong and who fail to repent will be eternally lost in Hell (Matthew 25:46).
While we live then, we must do right. We must allow the “Great Potter,” our God, to fashion us as a potter does with clay. Romans 9:21 says, “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?” We must submit to God, and allow Him to use His Power to fashion us after His Will. It is certain that God is not going to force us to do right, due to His love for us and His Fairness. We must choose to do right (Joshua 24:15).
Jeremiah was told by God in the long ago to go to the potter’s house. He went there and saw the potter working with his hands upon a piece of clay. The vessel that he made of clay was marred in his hand, so he made it again another vessel as seemed good to the potter to make it. God then told Jeremiah, “O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel (Jeremiah 18:6).”
Friends, let us allow God to fashion us according to His Will. He created us. He knows how we are to best live our lives. Let us open our hearts to His Word and obey Him (Psalm 119:112, Colossians 3:17). Let us always remember that the Great Potter is to be the Center of our lives in everything we think, in everything we say, and in everything that we do!
-Jason Gann, TBC Registrar and Online Instructor
