The Deacon Said

The deacon said, “When I get to heaven, I intend to thank God for letting me play on His team in the greatest game of the ages—for enabling a weakling like me to do something for Him!”

Did you know our calling is a work of God’s grace? Someday I would like to write a book titled “All of Grace is Our Story…All the Way from Earth to Glory.” We must always remember that grace not only saves us (Ephesians 2:8), but grace also ENABLES us to do the spiritual work of God.

The Bible tells us about the accomplishments of the Apostle Paul. His accomplishments make mine look like an ant hill. But, most importantly, the Bible gives us Paul’s testimony regarding the SOURCE of his accomplishments. Paul testified, “It is only by the enabling grace of God that I am what I am” or that “I have done what I have done” (1 Corinthians 15:10). In the same verse Paul mentions how much effort he put into the ministry and how that he “labored more than all the others” but he also adds, “yet it was not I but God who was working through me by His grace.”

The truth is we are too weak to be used by God. Within our being we do not have the spiritual strength/ability to even make it on the field, let alone play in the big game! But then along comes the enabling grace of God; this grace picks us up and gives us the strength or the spiritual power to be used by God. “For though I am weak, God makes me strong.” “Without Me (Jesus) you can do nothing but with God all things are possible.” “I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me.” “Not by human might, nor by human power but by My Spirit.” “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature…and, lo, I am WITH you always, even unto the end of the age.”

Someone studied the lives of those saints that lived on a higher plane than others. He concluded, “The main item that made them different was that they counted on God being with them.” How true! We sing, “Anywhere WITH Jesus I can safely go, Anywhere He leads me in this world below; Anywhere without Him, dearest joys would fade; Anywhere with Jesus I am not afraid.”

Ah, what did the fearless lad say to Goliath? “You come to me with a sword and shield, but I come to you in the NAME OF THE LORD OF HOSTS. Goliath, you haven’t got a chance!” and minutes later the giant Goliath fell at the feet of young David.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” That verse explains why Christianity successfully got off the ground, even why it is still changing lives today.

Never forget: The World Has Yet to See WHAT GOD CAN DO With A Person Wholly Committed To Him. It’s a grace work, pure and simple. Thank God for enabling me to be on His team!

Tom Swartzwelder was born again at the age of nine in an old-fashioned revival meeting. Tom received his B.A. from Tennessee Temple University and his M. Div from Luther Rice Seminary. He has pastored for nearly forty years in both bi-vocational and full-time roles. He provides practical how-to-do-ministry resources for the disciples of Jesus Christ at http://www.godsgreenhouse.net. Tom’s latest book is “God Speaks–Today!”

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash