So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also. Romans 1:15
In the early 1960s, a Gospel series was held in the Gospel Hall in Oxford, Nova Scotia. I remember being a bit disappointed when I heard that one of the preachers for that series was to be John McCracken. Until that time, I had never been very impressed with his preaching; I found him less eloquent than many others, and not as interesting. However, as the series began and progressed, I found myself more and more fascinated with John’s ability to command attention and to present the Gospel. I eagerly looked forward to his messages each night. Other Christians also commented on how well John spoke in that series. Perhaps he was like the apostle Paul in today’s text, he gave as much as was in him for the Lord. So should we.
We all recognize the limitations of various preachers, although we accept them as the Lord’s servants. We also recognize the limitations in other believers, although we sweetly fellowship with them. But what about ourselves? Do we have limitations when it comes to serving the Lord? Are there things about our personality, our speech, our family, our education, or any other thing, that keep us from being more capable in our service? Of course there are! But we have to be careful that we don’t make those things excuses for not serving. Just because we can’t preach like the full-time workers, there is no reason why we should not preach to the best of our abilities. Even though we don’t have the boldness of others in witnessing and tract distribution, we should still venture forth to the extent of our boldness. If our home is not as lovely as that of other Christians, we can still use it to entertain and minister to the Lord’s people.
Everything that we have is from the Lord, and is actually just on loan from Him. Everything that we are is from the Lord, too. If He gives us an ability, even if it is not as great as somebody else’s ability, that ability belongs to Him. And its best use is not in serving ourselves, but in serving Him.
The Lord never expects us to use more than what He has given us. But He does expect us to use more of what He has given. -Jim MacIntosh