Let Jesus Work Through YouIf you were the President of the United States and you decided that you needed to send the most influential person you know to help establish a new government in Iraq, whom would you send? I am certain you would choose an expert in foreign affairs: Maybe an expert in Arab culture? Or how about a pro-American Muslim cleric? Perhaps a military leader who would command the respect of everyone in the region? It's an interesting question that leads to nearly endless possibilities. One thing I know for sure; as President of the United States, the person you would choose for the job would have to be absolutely loyal and obedient to you. Right? When God decided to send His ambassador to the Gentile world He chose perhaps the last person that any human would have chosen; Saul of Tarsus. On the face of it Saul was an incredible choice. He was on the fast track to become one of the most influential and important members of the Sanhedrin. After he became known as Paul, he described himself in Philippians 3:4-6: If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. Paul hated the church. He vigorously pursued and persecuted those who aligned themselves with the church. He was present when Stephen was stoned to death. He set out for Damascus in Acts 9, breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples and seeking to make prisoners of those who belonged to the church. And then, along the road to Damascus to carry out the will of Satan, God reached down from heaven and introduced Saul to Jesus. In time, Paul went from one the church's greatest enemies to its greatest supporter. He became perhaps the most influential Christian to ever walk the earth. He was the author of nearly half of the New Testament. He became the most prolific missionary ever. His influence is felt just as strong 2000 years later as it was in the first century. You know what is the amazing lesson in the story of Paul? That God can use anyone to do His work; even you and even me. Because, as great a man as Paul was, he was still just a simple, sinful man. In fact, Paul calls himself the worst of all sinners in 1 Timothy 1:15. Sometimes I have to ask myself, "If Paul was the worst sinner of all, what does that make me?" The answer is simple: It makes me as qualified to do the work of God as Paul was.You may think sometimes like there is no way that you can do God's work, not with all the baggage of sin that you carry around. You may feel that if anyone knew this or that about you that you couldn't even show your face in church again. If you feel that way let me assure you that God can do amazing things with you, just like He did with Paul. He doesn't care where you've been or what you've done; He only cares where you're going from here. Lay the guilt and burden of your past at His feet and press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called YOU heavenward in Christ Jesus. Let Him do incredible things through you. -John Gooch
|
