But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me (1 Corinthians 15:10).
We might as well consider the verse above one of the major secrets of the Apostle Paul’s great success in ministry. He was so mightily used of God because he had absolute reliance on the grace of God. All that he did and became as an apostle of Jesus Christ was the result of God’s grace upon his life, not his human or natural abilities. He understood that man’s natural abilities, and material accomplishments, don’t count with God.
Talking about the results of his natural abilities, he wrote, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).
God doesn’t look at your education, as good as that may be. He doesn’t look at your financial status, as good as it may be. He doesn’t look at what you’ve learnt in the world. In fact, to be able to follow Him and walk with Him effectively, you must walk by faith. His grace is all you need. See again how Paul affirms this in 2 Corinthians 12:9: _“And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
The strength of God is revealed in your weakness. Now, you can better understand why the young lad, David, without any apparent natural endowment, was chosen to be king ahead of his more physically qualified older brothers. Nothing at all from the physical perspective qualified David to be king; it was purely an election by grace, coupled with the condition of his heart.
God always wants to use that man or woman who has nothing natural or of himself to boast of. Otherwise, He’ll have no glory. If you want to be used mightily of God, don’t rely on yourself or on your natural talents. Rather, like the Apostle Paul, depend fully on God’s grace.
