Good morning,
Who does God use? The answer may surprise us.
This week we will look at a number of people and their status in life.
God speaks to this issue in 1 Corinthians 1.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:” (1 Corinthians 1:26-28)
God chose the “…the foolish things of the world…”, “…the weak things of the world…”, and “…base things of the world…”. Not exactly who we would choose to develop a ministry to reach the world for Christ. From the outset God was looking for individuals who were teachable. Some were more teachable than others, but all were willing to be taught and used by God to do His will.
Who were these people?
Paul: persecuted the believers in Christ (Acts 8:3)
“As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.”
Peter: fisherman (Matthew 4:18)
“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.”
Matthew: tax collector (Mathew 9:9)
“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.”
Little children: kingdom of God (Luke 18:15-17)
“And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”
God chose to use a man who tried to destroy God’s people, an ignorant fisherman, a hated tax collector, and children to display His transforming power. The change was so complete they turned their world upside down for Christ. Thousands were saved because these men allowed Christ to teach them, encourage them, and ultimately indwell them with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit moved mightily in these men to change individuals, communities, and countries, and bring them to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Will we allow God to do that in us and through us?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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