And the vessel that he [the potter] made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. (Jeremiah 18:4)
Do you ever feel like you’ve been “marred†by sin, or that you’ve somehow “messed up†and the damage is just beyond repair? Sometimes, because of the mistakes we’ve made, we feel guilt-laden and unable to continue in our Christian walk. We feel like vessels that have been chipped, broken, or perhaps even broken into a million pieces, irreparable and unfit for the Lord’s use.
But this verse gives us wonderful hope in Christ Jesus. He, the Potter, can make a marred vessel into a new one! Our God is one that created the universe out of nothing. He has reversed hopeless situations, changed people’s hearts, and made possible the impossible. He certainly can mend a broken vessel and create a new one out of it, fit to do wonderful work for Him.
For some of us, it may not be a question of God’s ability to do this, but rather His willingness. Is God really willing to use me after all the terrible things I have done? Is He willing to overlook my many failures? Is He willing to forgive my past and to make me into a new creation? God’s resounding answer is YES. 1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.â€
God has promised us forgiveness and cleansing, a chance to start anew. In order to accept His forgiveness, however, we must first admit our sin before Him. If we sincerely acknowledge our sin, God is faithful and just and will forgive and renew us. God will never turn away a humble and contrite heart, for
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise. (Ps 51:17)
The other side of confession is repentance—turning away from sin. Confession and forgiveness amount to nothing if we still continue to sin. The Bible describes these kinds of actions as a “dog returning to his own vomit†or a “sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire†(2 Pet 2:22). If we keep ourselves clean and fit for the Lord’s use, however, then we will become “a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work†(2 Tim 2:21).
The Lord can and will make us into a new vessel, if we allow Him to. If we believe that He is willing and able to do so, confess our sins before Him, and turn away from sin, then despite our past, we can live a new and victorious Christian life, glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ.
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