Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Acts 9:3-18
Utterly at God’s Disposal
The disciple God uses must be utterly at God’s disposal. Ananias was living in such close touch with the Lord that he could recognize Jesus speaking to him. The Lord said in a vision, “Ananias,” and he said, “Here I am, Lord.” – Acts 9:10.
Ananias was on speaking terms with the Lord. Are you? Acts 9:10–16 reveals the intimate conversation that went on between Ananias and Jesus. The Lord asked Ananias to go (verse 15) and Ananias went (verse 17). There was complete obedience.
A man once recorded his meeting with General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, with these words:
When I looked into his face and saw him brush back his hair from his brow, heard him speak of the trials and the conflicts and the victories, I said “General Booth, tell me what has been the secret of your success.” He hesitated a second, and I saw the tears come into his eyes and steal down his cheeks, and then he said, “I’ll tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me to have. There have been men with greater opportunities; but from the day I got the poor of London on my heart and a vision of what Jesus Christ could do, I made up my mind that God would have all there was of William Booth, and if there’s anything of power in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has had all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life.”
The listener reported: “I learned from William Booth that the greatness of a man’s power was in the measure of his surrender.”
Leads Others to Blessing
The disciple God uses must be full of Christ-like love. When Ananias went to Saul he did not say, “You scoundrel, you persecutor of the church! You’ve done much evil!”
What did Ananias say? And what was his attitude? He laid his hands affectionately on Saul and said, “Brother Saul” (verse 17). There was great love and compassion in those words.
This is a test of our Christianity. When you are harmed and hurt by another Christian, are you able to go and say “Brother”?
Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” – Matthew 6:12 (NLT). The Bible admonishes us to be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us. We need Christ’s love in our hearts.
Full of Christlike Love
The believer God uses should lead others into the blessings of Christianity. On the threshold of his new life, Ananias led Saul into the fullness of spiritual blessing, for he showed him how to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17).
Ananias knew how imperative it is for any disciple of Christ Jesus to be filled with the Holy Spirit if he or she is to live graciously and serve God effectively. At Pentecost the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is as essential to the disciple’s life as gasoline is to an automobile. God commands us to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
A story is told of the great German composer, Mendelssohn:
It was said he once visited a cathedral containing one of the most priceless organs in Europe. He listened to the organist and then asked permission to play. “I don’t know you,” was the reply. “And we don’t allow any chance stranger to play upon this organ.”
At last, the great musician persuaded the organist to let him play. As Mendelssohn played, the great cathedral was filled with such music as the organist had never heard. With tears in his eyes, he laid his hand on Mendelssohn’s shoulder. “Who are you?” he asked. “Mendelssohn,” came the reply.
The old organist was dumbfounded. “To think,” he said, “the master was here, and I nearly forbade him to play upon my organ!”
If we only knew what wonderful, harmonious service the Holy Spirit can draw out of our lives, we would not be content until He has complete possession and is working in us and through us to do His will.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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