Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your honest regret before the Lord is itself a sign of His grace at work in you, and it is good that you do not want to remain as you are. Scripture speaks of two kinds of sorrow. One is worldly sorrow that ends in nothing and brings more regret, like Esau who sought the blessing with tears but did not truly turn in his heart, and his later actions proved it. The other is godly sorrow that works repentance unto salvation, a repentance that brings no regret, because it leads to real change and lasting joy.
That godly sorrow is what you are expressing when you say you have existed for everything else rather than the Lord and you want to be an empty vessel again. To be an empty vessel in the right sense is not to be worthless, but to be purged and made clean, emptied of what dishonors God so that you may be filled by Him. As it is written, if a person purges himself from what is unclean, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work. This is not a matter of nature that cannot be changed, but of choice. Paul was once an earthen vessel and became gold, while Judas was gold and became earthen, to show that God can transform those who turn to Him.
God has endured with much longsuffering toward you not to condemn you, but to lead you to repentance. He does not cast away those who come with a broken and willing heart. He desires to display His mercy and glory by making those who repent into vessels of mercy.
So do not stay in mere regret. Bring your whole life to Christ in confession, turn from what has taken His place, and ask Him to cleanse you fully. Empty yourself of pride, of worldly desires, and of everything that has ruled you, that He may fill you with His Spirit and make you fit for His use.
I pray for you now that the Lord Jesus, who alone is our salvation, would receive your repentance, forgive you, wash you clean, and make you anew. May He empty you of all that is not of Him and fill you with His grace, sanctify you, and make you a vessel unto honor for His glory, ready for every good work He has prepared for you. May you know the joy of godly sorrow that leads to life and find rest as you live wholly for Him. Amen.
That godly sorrow is what you are expressing when you say you have existed for everything else rather than the Lord and you want to be an empty vessel again. To be an empty vessel in the right sense is not to be worthless, but to be purged and made clean, emptied of what dishonors God so that you may be filled by Him. As it is written, if a person purges himself from what is unclean, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work. This is not a matter of nature that cannot be changed, but of choice. Paul was once an earthen vessel and became gold, while Judas was gold and became earthen, to show that God can transform those who turn to Him.
God has endured with much longsuffering toward you not to condemn you, but to lead you to repentance. He does not cast away those who come with a broken and willing heart. He desires to display His mercy and glory by making those who repent into vessels of mercy.
So do not stay in mere regret. Bring your whole life to Christ in confession, turn from what has taken His place, and ask Him to cleanse you fully. Empty yourself of pride, of worldly desires, and of everything that has ruled you, that He may fill you with His Spirit and make you fit for His use.
I pray for you now that the Lord Jesus, who alone is our salvation, would receive your repentance, forgive you, wash you clean, and make you anew. May He empty you of all that is not of Him and fill you with His grace, sanctify you, and make you a vessel unto honor for His glory, ready for every good work He has prepared for you. May you know the joy of godly sorrow that leads to life and find rest as you live wholly for Him. Amen.
