Thursday, February 18, 2010

Men & Women of God

As it turns out, there's no mystical, magical method to becoming or being a man or woman of God. Anyone who wants to enter the kingdom of God can do so, according to scriptures like John 3:16 and Romans 10:13. Unfortunately, many people miss the point of these verses and use them to try and explain HOW to be saved rather than WHO can be saved. However, through these passages it's clear that salvation is to everyone.

But beyond salvation, the Bible lets us know there is no partiality or respect of persons with God (see Romans 2:11). This means anyone and everyone can be mightily used of God. In fact, Paul, in I Corinthians 12:31, tells us to "covet earnestly the best gifts" during his discourse on the various gifts of the spirit. God uses ordinary men and women who are willing to step up to the plate, sacrifice, consecrate, and do His will...

Let's look at one example: a prophet named Elijah.

James 5:17-18 - Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

This scripture is telling us that the great prophet Elijah was just like you and me. He had desires, doubts, troubles, questions, issues, etc... Yet, he was incredibly used of God. Just look at one time in his life when he was feeling particularly low:

1 Kings 19:4,14 - ...he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers...I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Elijah's attitude changed after he got into the presence of the Lord, much the same way David's did when he said, "my steps had well nigh slipped" in Psalm 73. But when he got into God's presence, he understood and his heart and thinking were cleansed...

If you desire to be used of God, don't wait until you get all your "ducks in a row." Chances are there will always be some excuse why you can't be used of God. Rather, start praying, studying God's Word, fasting, plugging into fellowship, church, worship, and Bible studies. Begin to let yourself be used as God sees fit.

God uses ordinary men and women to accomplish His purpose in this World. We, the church, are the body, according to Colossians 1:18, so let's get mobilized!!!