1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
I use this verse a lot because it shows humility by the most
popular Apostle that God called to that work. I do not know if the Apostle Paul
had realized in his life just how much that God used him. But we in this time
understand just how great he was by God’s grace. I do not know if some of the
great preachers in history ever thought that in the 21st century
churches and Pastors would be quoting them as much as they do. Great people,
whether men or women are used of God as God choses to use them and if there is
any greatness of our works, it is because of God’s work of grace in us. However
humbly Paul thought of himself, it would have been mere unfaithfulness to downplay
his own work in the Lord. If we truly believe that we are what we are by God’s grace,
then we must believe that we have no personal effects on what God is doing. Paul,
as great as he was, and as humbled as he was, was exactly what God ordained him
to be, no greater and lesser because the ministry was God’s hand of work. God
reminds us in Philippians 2:13-14 “For it is God which worketh in you both
to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and
disputings:” Brother John Trapp wrote in the early 1600’s these words, “When
God hath turned, and doth touch us, we must move; and while the Spirit
imbreathes us, we must turn about like the mill.” This is
because God’s Holy Spirit is giving us the “will and to do of his good
pleasure.” We do not choose our Christian path in life, and we do not edify
nor advance what God has chosen for us to do and accomplish for Him. Jesus said
in, Matthew 10:20 “For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your
Father which speaketh in you.” Whatever we are in our Christian life it
is by the hand of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit
that is our power and influence over our ministry and Christian walk. Remember
that God reminds us in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should
walk in them.” God not only chose us to salvation in Jesus Christ, called
us by the power of the Holy Spirit thru the Gospel of Jesus Christ, quickened
our dead spirits, caused us to hear the gospel, and led us to believe, He also
works every day in our Christian life giving us “both to will and to do of
his good pleasure.” The Apostle Paul was truly what he was by God’s grace,
and while it does not lessen his greatness it also gives all glory to God.
Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 5:32 - 33 “Ye shall observe to do therefore as
the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand
or to the left. Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath
commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye
may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.” Not that you
possible could or that it you work hard enough, or if you are good enough, “Ye
shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath
commanded you…” Whatever you do for the Lord, never forget to be reminded
that we do not fight for greatness, but rather accomplishments in doing
whatever God commands. If any of us think of ourselves as anything outside of
God’s grace we have failed miserably.
