Don’t Be Disqualified

Paul was a man of God, a great missionary, a great leader and overseer and he also wrote about three quarters of the New Testament.  Paul was used by God in tremendous ways; healing the sick plus speaking the good news to many, many people and I have no idea how many were converted because of his ministry and faithful testimony.  Paul was not only faithful, but he was even willing to suffer for Christ and because he had no fear of man God used him in mighty ways and blessed him mightily also.  I think Paul walked humbly before his God, not puffed up and proud, very seldom boasting about himself and what he had accomplished.  Paul knew and seemed to keep in the back of his mind that everything he accomplished was done through the Lord.  Paul knew that this was true, and he lived it.  Unless the Lord build the house, we labor in vain that build it.  Read Psalms 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

With everything that the Lord had accomplished through Paul he still knew that it was possible to be disqualified.  Paul talked about running a race in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

Paul was so determined to honor God that he beat his body into submission, in other words, he did not give into his fleshly desires because he determined not to be disqualified after preaching to others, like so many had in his day, and also today.  He knew that unless the Lord continued to bless him and anoint him and use him, he would just be spinning his wheels, so to speak.

How many pastors have you heard of, that were mightily used of God in the past, that have lost the confidence of the people because of yielding to the flesh and lost the anointing of the Lord?  I don’t believe this only happens to pastors, I believe this could happen to any believer such as a teacher or a lay person that is being used mightily of the Lord!!  

Think about Judas, he was used of the Lord also, but he lost it because he yielded to the flesh and betrayed the Lord for money, which he never got to spend, as far as I know.  So be very careful with pride and arrogance and yield to the Spirit and not to the flesh.  I think this is a good reminder for all of us.  I think you got the message and I hope this will help you to resist temptation and to walk humbly before your God.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super, super day!!