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Scripture Reflection by Sang Sur on John 1:31 posted January 24, 2010 - Prayer Tents
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Things Only God Can Do.
John 1 sets the stage for the ministries of Jesus. Before Jesus began, there was a man named John, who is better known as “John the Baptist.” He knew he had a God-given mission and was faithful to keep to it. In verse 23, it says “John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the desert, “Make straight the way for the Lord.”’ However, even though he was given this “high” position, an awesome mission in the eyes of many, he did not take his high stature to act as if He was God.
This is the trap people of high positions or titles often fall into. Only God is able to heal and only God is able to save, and only God should receive all the glory. However, when sometimes, even in our ministries, we recognize that we may know the Bible well, we gain titles, and we begin to serve in various parts of ministries (lead Bible studies, take part in the worship team, etc), we may begin to think and act as if “we are God.”
Do you ever recall yourself saying, because I'm so musically talented, my presence in the praise team will make things well? I know how the church ought to be run and so, under my direction, everything will be good? God uses me (or has used me) in a mighty way that when I pray for a certain person, s/he would be healed or would feel better? It is true that God uses people (us!) for His purposes; however, just like John, we should never forget that there are things only God can do. It is not about us; it is about Him. We should not take the glory that He deserves even when He uses us.
Only God can bring about salvation. Only He can bring about healing from people's deepest pains. Only He can deliver us from our financial situations. Only He can put peace in our hearts. Only He can show us His deep love for us. It's not about us, but about Him. We don't do anything, He does! We just see and listen to simply join in on what He is doing.
As people who love God and are willing to be molded by Him, God will show us many amazing things in and through our lives, and when He does, let us not become arrogant. Rather, let us push the glory back to Him “that he might be revealed to Israel” (v. 31). These are things only God can do—not us.
31I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”
John 1:31 (NLT)
Sunday, January 24, 2010
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