Hi Dave,
Rom 9:21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
I was looking in the Scriptures to see what more I could find about this.
John 12:26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
Here we see that those that serve God, He will honor. Also in 2 Timothy we see if anyone is cleansed (through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit) he will be a vessel of honor.
2Tim 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
v. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
In Romans it says if you break the law you "dishonor God."
Rom 2:22 You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
v. 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?
v. 24 For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," as it is written.
Perhaps there is a connection here that those who do not know God, are deceived, disobey and dishonor Him, therefore they are the vessels of dishonor, because they serve the devil. As it says back in 2 Timothy they are "taken captive by him."
2Ti 2:26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
All members of the body of Christ are "honorable," but some have more honored than others.
1Co 12:23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty,
v. 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,
v. 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.
mercy, peace and love
Kat