Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Acts 9:3-18
Probably a Very Unlikely Person
The disciple God uses will most often be a very unlikely person. God used Ananias to do a tremendous thing. Ananias led Saul of Tarsus to understand how to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, helped him to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, led him to be baptized, and encouraged him to associate with the local church. The whole ministry of the apostle Paul was launched by a disciple named Ananias about whom we know very little. He is simply called “a certain disciple” (Acts 9:10). He was not an apostle, was probably not an outstanding man, and as far as we know was not even a deacon or a teacher. He is simply “a certain disciple.” Yet God delighted in using him as He often delights to use ordinary people, and this is a great encouragement to all of us (1 Corinthians 1:26–29).
As told in the Old Testament, it was Nathan, a little-known prophet, who led David to repentance. It was a little maid who reached Naaman, the captain of the Syrian host. When God wanted to lead Saul of Tarsus into the assurance of salvation, he used “a certain disciple” named Ananias. Proof that God can use you and I!
I read a story of a godly man who was asked to teach a young boys’ Sunday School class. Since they couldn’t get another teacher, he taught their class for about three years. It was told that he didn’t speak very well and could hardly read, but he loved the Lord Jesus with all his heart. He shared that love with those in that class. What was the result of his teaching? It’s written that one of the members in the class became an attorney and a judge. Another class member became a wonderful postal employee. A couple of the members of the class became outstanding businessmen. Three of the members of the class became preachers of the gospel. All of the members of the class are still active in the church today. They all remember the love their teacher had for the Lord.
If God can use a simple man to teach Sunday School and use him to transform a class of boys and if God can use a certain disciple named Ananias to lead Paul, the apostle, into the deeper walk of the Christian life, don’t you know beyond a doubt, that God can use you? Most of the time, the believer’s God uses are just very ordinary people.
Lives a Devout Christian Life
The believer God uses must be living a devout Christian life. The Bible speaks of Ananias being “a devout man” (Acts 22:12). It goes on to state that he had “a good testimony with all the Jews.” This simply means that Ananias was a devout Christian. There was no insincerity about his life or testimony. He was a humble man. He lived the teachings of the Bible in flesh and blood.
There’s an illustration given of a sixteen-year-old girl who was a chronic invalid. Her mother was a pleasure-loving woman who could not endure the idea of being with her shut-in daughter. While the mother was traveling abroad in Italy, she remembered the coming birthday of her daughter and sent her a rare and beautiful vase. The trained nurse brought it to the girl tell her that her mother had sent it so carefully to make sure it came right on her birthday. After looking at its beauty for a moment, the girl turned to the nurse and said, “Take it away, take it away!” “Oh, mother,” the daughter cried, “don’t send me anything more, no books, no flowers, no pictures, no vases. I only want you!”
That must be the pleading cry of the Savior. Don’t give Christ things, He doesn’t need things. He wants you. Jesus wants your yielded heart, your heart fully given. He knows that if you give Him yourself, all else will follow.
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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