Greetings!
Many in Christendom who believe that God is not through with them yet … do not realize that He had not even started with them — these folks do not hear what they really say about themselves — I wanna be used by God!
Christians should concentrate, however, on bringing forth much good fruit through discipleship to glorify God; to overcome false prophets, the world, the wicked one, and the flesh instead of putting forth useless efforts to be modern day hyper-spiritual soundboards of religiosity.
Rhetorical question: were there more people in scriptures who finished their course with joy than those whom God was finished using? Search the scriptures.
The concept — “wanna be used” is mostly applied to those the Lord never called to do any thing in ministry. On the other hand, those whom He did call NEVER said they wanna be used by Him, but they strove to obey (and please) Him so that they might finish their course with joy, that is, they might accomplish what He sent them to do … and to finish.
Jesus said, His work was to do the will of the Father Who sent Him, and to finish His work … to work the works of the Father while it was day: the night cometh, when no man can work (John 4:34; 9:4) …and… that’s exactly what He did. As a result, salvation is made possible for those who believeth on Him. His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension is all for our benefit — He maketh intercession for the saints according to His will. Furthermore, it (intercession) is for those who will be saved to the uttermost by Jesus Christ Himself (Romans 8:27; Hebrews 7:25).
- Moses never said he wanna be used.
- The prophets never said they wanna be used.
- The apostles never said they wanna be used.
- Jesus NEVER SAID He wanna be used.
God is well known for raising up His leaders to serve in their generations because they are His prisoners.
In the natural, history has taught us that prisoners do not wanna be used, but they wanna be freed from incarceration. Selah.
God’s prisoners didn’t (and don’t) ask to be used by Him … they strove (and strive) to obey His commands. It is an act of unbelief and audacity to wanna be used by God and not consider the sufferings for His name sake, which (by the way) is required. Oh, that’s right, to suffer for Christ’s name sake is not in any part of the package of their request to be used by Him — that’s not an option. Their request is only for self gratification … you know, to seek their own glory.
But … stripes, weariness, pain, thorns in the flesh, perils of false brethren, etc. — are what God’s prisoners endure for His name sake. The wanna-be-users glory in their flesh and in their abilities empowered by the high thing (a.k.a. their intellect) that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. Sad to say, their anti-christian lifestyle is under the influence of the angel of light.
- Judas was the son of perdition who betrayed Jesus … he didn’t wanna be used to commit suicide (John 17:12; Matthew 26:5; Acts 1:16-18).
- Uzzah (whose name means “strength”) touched the ark of God to keep it from falling but God was angry and smote him for his error … he didn’t wanna be used to die in error (2 Samuel 6:1-7).
- Hananiah falsely prophesied that God was going to break the yoke of the king of Babylon … he didn’t wanna be used to die two months later for his false words of hope (Jeremiah 28:1-17).
- Miriam spoke against Moses because of his Ethiopian wife … she didn’t wanna be used to anger the Lord and become leprous (Numbers 12:1-10).
We hope you’re getting the sense here….
All notable ministerial leaders God chose in scriptures (and today) did not (and do not) get excited to think they wanna be used by Him.
In fact, Moses tried to excuse himself from ministry when he complained — he could not talk eloquently. But, the Lord’s anger was kindled against him and He said, “…is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well.” — Exodus 4:10-14
Jeremiah declared himself not able to arrange his words and speak properly because he was a child. But, the Lord said, “…Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.” — Jeremiah 1:6-7
Jonah decided not to obey God to go to Nineveh and cry against it. But contrarily, he chose rather to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. But, the crew aboard the ship he traveled (en route to Tarshish) had to toss him overboard; then he found himself in the belly of a whale for three days and three nights; the whale spat him out and he ran a three days distance to Nineveh in one day (Jonah 1:1-17; 3:3-4).
We have learned that God’s true leaders would have done something entirely different than to preach and to teach His unadulterated word; to speak His righteousness to their generations; and to experience maltreatments from those who refused to adhere to the instructions, the pleas, and the judgments of the Lord.
The offices of God’s leadership are appointed by Him (EXCLUSIVELY AND DIRECTLY) to do specific tasks….
I am reminded of the process of osmosis:
“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” — Isaiah 55:10-11
The Lord said, His word which goeth forth out of His mouth:
- IT … shall not return unto Him void (empty), but
- IT … shall accomplish (produce) that which He please, and
- IT … shall prosper (advance) in the thing whereto He sent it….
Only God’s prisoners will be able to complete or accomplish this task; they will prosper (advance) for their diligence and labor of love …and… they will receive a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8). But, all false leaders, and all false speakers will NOT accomplish this task; they will be defeated; they will also fall by the wayside; and their end will be the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 20:10).
Don’t wanna be used by God … but give all diligence to make your calling and election sure — strive to be one of His perfect disciples.
Those who wanna be used by God do not wanna suffer for His name sake. But, you cannot have the “use” without the “abuse” … that is, you cannot have the one without the other. Selah.
If you are guilty, repent. God is tender in mercy.
He/She who is able to receive it, let them receive it.
In Christ We Do Remain
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