Unqualified? 2/4-6

04-06 February 2017 - Unqualified? – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 Timothy 1:12 “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who enabled (strengthened) me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.”

            Paul (the former Saul) was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious (rude in speech and conduct) person.  Paul was on the way to Damascus to capture runaway Christians from Jerusalem and suddenly there shined a light from heaven around Paul. He fell down from riding a horse (Acts 9:2-3).

            Paul was shocked when he heard a voice of Jesus and Paul asked, “Who are you?” Jesus introduced Himself to Paul and said, “I am Jesus whom you have persecuted.”  Paul trembled and astonished that he had met Christ in a vision.  And at that moment Paul felt unqualified (not fit) and asked Jesus, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” (Acts 9:4-12).  Paul became helpless and frightened.

            Jesus gave instruction to Paul what to do.  Paul stayed in Damascus until the Lord send for Ananias.  Ananias said to the Lord that Paul had done so much evil to the Christians at Jerusalem. Ananias already ‘branded’ Paul as “unqualified” person to work with (Acts 9:13-14).

            But the Lord Jesus told Ananias to go to Paul since He had a plan for Paul to be a chosen vessel and to bring His name to the Gentiles, kings, and to Israel. Also how Jesus will show him that Paul must suffer for His name’s sake.  Ananias obeyed and blessed Paul (Acts 9:15-20).  Paul preached Christ that He is the Son of God.

            Paul testified how his life was changed by the revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:12).  And that it pleased God to choose him and called Paul by His grace. Paul said, “To reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen” (Gal. 1:16).  Paul often spoke of God’s amazing grace upon his life throughout the years.

             Has anyone ever faced “unqualified” to work for Him?  Gladys Aylward of London, England did.  She went to Christian missionary organization and applied to be a missionary to China. After being reviewed, they decided that she was “unqualified.”

            Gladys was a maid in the early part of the 20^th century and at the age of 28, she used her life savings to purchase a one-way ticket to Yangcheng, a remote village in China.  There she established an inn for trade caravans where she shared Bible stories.  Gladys served in other villages as well and became known as Ai-weh-deh, Chinese for “virtuous one.”  Gladys went from “unqualified” by the organization to “virtuous one” by the people she worked with.  She became a very valuable person among people of China.

            Dorothy:  Not all of us are called to endure hardship to spread the gospel in distant lands. But we are called to become prayer warriors for those who really depend on our prayers for their works to become successful. 

Truly, we are worthy of His grace!

            Song: UNWORTHY

           (Author: Ira F. Stanphell, 1750.)

Unworthy am I of the grace that He gave,
Unworthy to hold to His hand;
Amazed that a King would reach down to a slave,
This love I cannot understand.
Chorus:

Unworthy, unworthy, a beggar;
In bondage and alone;
But He made me worthy and now by His grace,
His mercy has made me His own.