Articles
God Can Use You
Do you struggle with having the motivation needed to work in the Lord’s kingdom? Have you ever wondered if you can accomplish anything of significance for God? Have you ever become discouraged or perhaps even thought about giving up laboring in the kingdom completely? If so, consider Philippians 1:3-6: I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (NASB).
As Paul begins his letter to the church at Philippi he offers them encouraging words: “God is at work in you, and He will continue to work through you.” Previously, the church sent Paul financial support “more than once” (probably on several occasions) as soon as they had opportunity (see Philippians 4:10-18). In fact, Philippi was the only church to assist Paul after he left Macedonia (v. 15), and for their concern he was grateful. More than that, Paul thanked them for their “participation in the gospel.” They were not just helping Paul; they were helping the gospel. Sending money to a preacher (as little or much as it may be) may seem like a small thing but Paul wanted the church to understand that their sharing with him was evidence that God was working through them to accomplish His will. Read again the quotation from Philippians 1:5. Paul clearly says that God works through us, not that we work through God. Three things stand out to me from this thought.
First, it is amazing that God works through us at all. We know we are imperfect, and God is fully aware of our deficiencies even more than we are; yet by His grace He uses us anyway. Sometimes we allow our imperfections to discourage us from thinking we can be useful to God, but He has used imperfect men and women to accomplish His will from the beginning of time. God’s ability is not limited by our imperfections. Remember Rahab? Esther? Deborah? David? Moses? Peter? John? All of these were sinful people, yet God worked through their faith and devotion to Him to accomplish great things.
Paul once said about the privilege of preaching the gospel, “And who is adequate for these things?...Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant…” (2 Corinthians 2:16; 3:5-6, NASB). No one is truly adequate to work in the kingdom, but God makes us adequate.
Secondly, because God works through us our strength comes from Him. The ability and opportunities which He uses through us are His anyway, so we can be assured that He gives us the strength to be the vessels through whom His work done. In Philippians 4:13 Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Sometimes we forget we are like clay in God’s hand, being molded and shaped by His purposes. Paul told the Philippians that the God who began a good work through them would “perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” May we never think (though we are tempted to) that God has left us alone to do His work without any of His personal assistance. He will see this work through, even to the very end. If we are willing to be used, God will not only use us but will provide what is needed.
Lastly, if God is the One working through us we do not get any credit or glory for what He is doing through us. We are only the stewards. What then is our duty? To give ourselves up to His work, trusting in His power, and thanking Him for the privilege and grace to work in the first place. Do not be discouraged—God is working through us.
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13, NASB).
