“When I came to you, I was weak and afraid and trembling all over. I didn’t preach my message with clever and compelling words. As I preached, the Holy Spirit showed his power. THAT WAS SO YOU WOULD BELIEVE NOT BECAUSE OF HUMAN WISDOM BUT BECAUSE OF GOD’S POWER.” (1 Corinthians 2:3-5)
If in presenting the gospel, I were to substitute my knowledge of the way of salvation instead of my confidence in the power of the gospel, I would hinder you from knowing what God really has for you. So, I must take care to see that while I proclaim my knowledge of the way of salvation, that I myself am rooted and grounded by faith in God. I must never rely on the clearness of my presentation, but as I give my explanation I must make sure that I AM ARE RELYING ON THE HOLY SPIRIT and relying on the certainty of God’s liberating power, and He will be faithful to release life in the people who read these messages. SO, I ASK FOR YOUR PRAYERS THAT IT WILL BE GOD THAT SPEAKS – NOT ME!
Once we are rooted in the reality of God’s word, nothing can shake us. If our faith is in our experiences, anything that happens is likely to upset that faith. BUT NOTHING CAN EVER CHANGE GOD OR THE REALITY OF REDEMPTION. We must base our faith on that reality, and that will give us the confidence that cannot be shaken! Once we have a very personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we will never be moved again. That is the meaning of sanctification. God does not want us to think that sanctification is merely an experience, but the powerful means that God gives us to live holy for Him:
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I SANCTIFY MYSELF, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:17-19).
We must deliberately give our sanctified lives to God for His service:
SO THAT HE CAN USE US AS HIS HANDS AND HIS FEET
Choose to be used of God, today…Bill Stockham