Use for His Purpose
August 27-28
Used for His Purpose
Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. Romans 15:20
The presence of God radically changes your life and the lives of others. He gives power to both your words and your actions. This is what makes an ordinary man, extra ordinary—when he is being used by God.
In Romans 15 as Paul begins to bring his great letter to the Romans to a conclusion, he talks about his own personal calling: ‘to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (v.16).
Paul’s ambition was to preach the gospel where Jesus was not known, so that he would not be building on anyone else’s foundation (vv.20–21). Paul was calling others to the good news of Jesus Christ, and he did this by ‘leading the Gentiles to obey God’ (v.18). He ‘fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ’ (v.19).
Like Jesus, his preaching with words was accompanied by the power of God’s presence. It involved three W’s:
Words – v. 18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me. The gospel is the most powerful message in the world.
Works – v. 18 ‘by what I have said and done’. For example, Paul acted on behalf of those less fortunate.
Wonders – v. 19 ‘in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit. Paul’s proclamation of the good news involved a demonstration of the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
We all can be used by God. People are more affected by what they see than by what they hear. It has been said, ‘One in the eye is worth two in the ear.’ God is present among His people who desire to be used for His purpose.
Prayer for today: Lord, I pray that you pour out your Holy Spirit upon me again. Open my eyes to see and ears to hear when You are directing me. Through my obedience, others come to God. May I see lives radically changed as people come to obey you by what I say and do. Amen