By Kevin Harris, pastor of the Illawarra Community Baptist Church in Wollongong, NSW
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Ephesians 3:8
The Apostle Paul says, in effect, ‘I’m NOT some great Christian preacher.’ We’d probably all disagree with him there. If there was a ‘Who’s Who’ of celebrity Christians, surely Paul would headline it.
He says, ‘The reality is, I’m the LEAST of all saints. Don’t think of me as at the top of the list. I’m down at the bottom of the list.’ This was how Paul saw himself.
In fact, he further states, ‘I am LESS than the least of all saints. I’m so far down the page as a notable Christian that I don’t even deserve to be the last name on the list. So put me lower than the last name on the page.’
What hope that brings to me! I may not be as talented, as eloquent, as experienced, or as polished as other believers. But God still sets me apart as one of His special ones. He can still use me to preach ‘the unsearchable riches of Christ’ to a lost and dying world.
I may have failed. I may be disappointed with myself, and feel that God would have liked to get more from me than He has. I’m the last saint you would think to add to the list of God’s children. It’s as if He would say, ‘Oh yes, I almost forgot. Don’t forget to add that Kevin Harris to the names of My holy ones whom I will make a preacher.’
Father, thank You for making me one of Your special saints. Thank You for giving me grace as one of Your least ones. I know that You had to scrape the bottom of the barrel when You saved me, Lord. But You said that Your strength is made perfect in weakness. Help me to see myself as a nobody. Use me to point others to Your excellencies. I ask this in the Name of the Lord Jesus, Amen.
This article was written by Kevin Harris Dapto pastor of Illawarra Community Baptist Church.