Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

CRACKED POT CHRISTIANS

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection : lest that

by any means , when I have preached to others, I myself should be a

castaway.” I Cor. 9:27

Most everyone knows of a minister or otherwise dedicated Christian who has fallen into the temptations of sin. When such persons are widely noted, the end result is scoffing, ridicule, and loss of influence that may extend to others simply because they are “Christian.” The apostle Paul always kept this potential at a high level of awareness.

It is interesting to note that the term “castaway” in the verse above comes from a Greek word employed to judge the acceptability of coins, and other things made of metal, and additional products of craft. If the product measured up it was accepted, if not it became a castaway. The Hebrew New Testament uses a word that denotes, “filthy, scummy, reject” for the English castaway in this verse. When applied to pottery, it denoted a vessel that did not measure up to the purpose of its creation, usually because it was cracked. Once cracked, the vessel would not be thrown away, but set on a shelf to collect small, solid items. But that was not the intent of its creation. It was supposed to hold water, milk, wine, or other liquids.

Paul had purpose. God had called him to preach the gospel of the kingdom to the nations. He was faithful to that calling, all the time realizing that the temptations that bring failure to some men is a common tempter to all. So, he battled the warfare of the spirit and mind, making hard decisions about what he would do or not do, allow or not allow. He had a specific goal in mind: that he would not succumb to the common temptations of the flesh, thereby becoming a castaway, or a cracked pot preacher whose destiny was to be put on a shelf to collect junk.

One of the marvels of God’s dealing with the human family is that the perfect message is entrusted to earthen vessels. Paul told the church at Corinth, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.” 2 Cor. 4:7. Truly, It is the universal desire of true Christians to hear “Well done…” from the Master when it is theirs to meet Him. But it is the desire and goal of Satan to make each one a “Cracked Pot Christian.” So, many safeguards might be mentioned about how some avoid the common pitfalls of life.

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