But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 

2 Timothy 2:20-23 KJV

The more I study the Bible the more I realize that we as individuals determine to a large extent how much of what has been provided for us by the death of Christ that we enjoy.

There are so many examples in scripture that show us that how much we get is depended on us. From the woman with the issue of blood to blind Bartimaeus to the Syrophoenician woman and the centurion.

In addition, how close you become with God depends on you. Zacchaeus defied his physical limitations of height and climbed a tree to get Jesus’ attention. The woman with the alabaster box defied economic sensibilities and broke expensive perfume in honor of the master. Lazarus and his sisters were dear friends of Jesus and opened their doors to him on several occasions.

And in like manner, how much you’re used by God depends on you. Daniel as opposed to the rest of the captive Jews distinguished himself for excellence and brought God’s influence to the courts of the kings of his day. David understood the dynamics of the covenant and through that understanding he challenged and defeated Goliath to the glory of God when his brothers and the king Saul could not. Samuel hearkened to the voice of God and became a renowned prophet where Eli’s sons could not.

You can either be a vessel of honor or one of dishonor. The choice is essentially in your hands and it is made through your actions, what you do and what you don’t do.