Focus: Let God Use You
Text: 1Cor.16:15
"I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have ADDICTED themselves to the ministry of the saints,)."
The essence of our existence lies in our usefulness to God. Again, knowing there's a world to come, a world we are going to live in, it is only reasonable that we yield ourselves to a life of service to God and humanity in the here and now.
Moreover, embracing the love of Christ involves dedicating one's life to loving others till life leaves your body. Mordecai tells Esther, 'If you don't let God use you, someone else will.' O, Lord, help us!
Stephanas and his family determined to let God use them in the lives of other Christians. They had the God-addiction to do good - doing good and loving it. He goes on to say, "I am GLAD of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have REFRESHED my spirit and yours…" (1Cor.16:17,18).
He tells Philemon, "For we have great joy and consolation in THY LOVE, because the bowels of the saints are REFRESHED by thee, brother" (Philm.1:7).
He calls Priscilla and Aquila, "My HELPERS in Christ Jesus," and says to the church in Corinth, for we are "HELPERS of your JOY" (Rom.16:3; 2Cor.1:24).
Dr. Luke records in Act.28:15, "And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us… whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage" (Act.28:15). Paul breathed a sigh of relief just seeing his brethren in Christ come to visit him. He took courage and blessed God for their visit.
Consider the record of Dorcas, who was "full of good works and almsdeeds which she did… and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them" (Act.9:36,39). I believe God let her live again to continue her good works in people's lives for his glory.
What are you living for? Who is being refreshed in his soul because of you? Who is happy and thankful to God on your account? What are you full of - yourself or good deeds? Are you the needy or the needed?
You have something that another needs. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, let God use you to touch a life. Be useful in God's hands. Your ministry to others comes from what Christ has done in your life, what He is doing in your life, and what He has blessed you with. Amen.
by Bishop Moses E. Peter