An instrument of God means that God can use anyone he pleases to accomplish his will, whether he or she is a follower of God (a Christian) or a non-follower of Jesus Christ (a non-Christian). He can do this because he’s sovereign over all the universe, and he can providentially work in anyone.  Do you want to be an instrument of God or a man of God? What does a man of God mean? Does it simply mean he’s religious or is there more to it? To be a man of God or woman of God seems like a whole new level of spirituality.

Perhaps you have met individuals you would refer to as a man of God or woman of God. What makes them that way?

Here is what the Bible says.

A man or woman of God is called to serve

man blowing a shofar in praise to God

If we look at the etymology of the term, “man of God,” we see God called certain men and women of God to serve him. In the Old and New Testaments of our Bible, we find prophets and spiritual leaders like pastors or evangelists called in an official capacity. They were to faithfully deliver God’s message, obey him, and live their lives glorifying the LORD.

So, since this is a title used about certain people in the Bible, this doesn’t apply to us, right? It can apply to us Christians, too, if we take our calling seriously. 1 Peter 2: 9-10 (NIV) says,

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

How will we act, knowing we are a chosen people? This doesn’t mean the church is New Testament Israel, but as new members of God’s body, the church, we are also chosen to be God’s special possession, both Jewish and non-Jewish Christians. See Romans 9-11 and Ephesians 1-2. And if we do this well, we will rule and reign with Christ.

Let’s look at some examples of men and women of God and draw some inspiration from them. We’ll finish at the end with what Jesus taught his disciples.

What characterizes men or women of God?

Live reenactment of biblical disciples walking through city streets.

Abel

In the book of Hebrews, chapter 11, the author says Abel was a man of faith because he offered a better sacrifice than his brother Cain. Cain offered a contribution, which didn’t cost him much, but Abel offered one of his best lambs to God for a sacrifice. That sacrifice pictured Christ’s sacrifice. Men or women of God are willing to sacrifice, and yes in Abel’s case that meant he also lost his life. What are we willing to lose to please God?

Enoch

Not much is said about this character, other than Enoch walked with God. This probably means he didn’t run ahead of God or lag behind. We walked beside God and let him set the pace. It’s only when we walk beside God that we listen. After 365 years, God took him because he was commended for pleasing God. Enoch didn’t experience death; he was taken up into heaven.

What does it take to please God? According to Hebrews 11:6 it’s faith in God, that God exists and is a rewarder of those who diligently (or urgently) seek him. Do we believe God exists? Do we live that way? Do we believe he will reward us with salvation and for good works done in his name for him? Do we doubt? Then that is not faith. God wants us to believe he can do anything he pleases and delights to reward us for trusting him.

Do we walk beside God listening? Do we diligently seek him, or do we seek our own agenda? If God’s agenda is our agenda, we will please God.

Noah

Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. Because he fully obeyed God, the LORD spared his family from the world-wide flood. Are you facing hard times or a catastrophe? The LORD can help you through it. Trust God to save you, and you can enter through the door of faith in Jesus and be saved from destruction. If you’re in that ark of safety, keep working and patiently serving God . Trust the LORD to bring peace and deliverance from the storm.be

Abraham

Abram, whose name was later changed to Abraham was called by God to leave his country and go to a place the LORD would show him. By faith, he and Sarai (later called Sarah), immediately packed up their things to leave the city of Ur. They didn’t even know where they were going. Have you ever had to trust God like that? Perhaps you needed to move or change jobs. Can you trust God to provide and lead the way? Faith pleases God. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

After Abram. Sarai, and their nephew Lot arrived in Canaan, God told Abram he and Sarai were going to have a son, a naturalborn heir when they were old and unable to have children. This seemed difficult to believe, and they laughed at the thought that they, senior citizens, could bear children. But, they didn’t doubt God could do it. How about us–just because something seems almost impossible, will we count it off or pray in faith that God can fulfill his promises? Isaac was born and his name means laughter, for they laughed in delight that God would do this thing.

As a sign of God’s promise to Abram and Sarai, he changed their names to Abraham, Father of many nations, And Sarah.

So, was this the last test for Abraham and Sarah? Not at all. One day called to Abraham and told him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, on the altar. What? I thought God deplored human sacrifice…why does he ask Abraham to do such a thing?

Job

His name is pronounced with a long 0 vowel sound. Job lived such a righteous and reverent life before God, the LORD was impressed. He said to the devil, have you considered my servant Job? He fears the LORD and turns away from evil (Job 1:2,8, 2:3). He still tried to be faithful even when his friends falsely accused him. Can it be said that we fear the LORD and turn away from evil?

Job was known for deeds that demonstrated his righteous life. See here. Are we known for our integrity, generosity, speaking up for those who need justice, helping widows and orphans, and having a good relationship with our colleagues or employees? If any of us are men or women of God, we should be known for this. 

Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay

Much like the wise men following the star, Abraham and Moses were on a spiritual journey. They were called by God to go to an unknown land, lead God’s people out of bondage, face incredible odds and win, and trust the LORD to the end.

statue, moses, italy, rome, cathedral, holy, marble, bible, brown bible, moses, moses, moses, moses, moses

Moses

In the book of Exodus, God chose Moses to lead the enslaved descendants of Israel out of bondage. He was reluctant but still did as God commanded. Moses was called a man of God and God called him his friend. He cared about God’s glory and reputation. Do we? When we pray, do we care about that? Then perhaps we are a man or woman of God. Read the epitaph about Moses after he died.

Joshua

Joshua was a fearful warrior, but he still did everything God asked him to do when God wanted him to do it — everything. Caleb and Joshua trusted God would help the Israelites defeat the giants in the land of Canaan. They obeyed God and conquered the land and people for their inheritance. How much more might we accomplish if we did everything the LORD told us to do?

Gideon

Gideon, despite his fear, obeyed God by tearing down idols and leading a small band to attack huge Midianite forces. One with God is a majority. Unfortunately, later Gideon became just an instrument of God when he allowed a golden ephod (part of a priest’s garment) to be made and worshipped.

Jephthah

Who is this? Ever heard of him? He’s not in major Bible stories, but he should be. Despite being wrongly expelled from Israel because he was born of a prostitute, he later became a great military leader. When Israel needed deliverance from their oppressors, they didn’t have someone capable of leading their forces, so they turned to Jephthah and asked him to command their army.

What a turn of events. The Israelites had to promise to let Jephthah back in their camp and make him chief of their tribe. If you have ever been despised or disdained because of your background, there’s hope for you, if you will obey God. In the book of Hebrews, Jephthah is included as a man of faith.

Unfortunately, Jephthah is best remembered for his foolish vow. Without getting into the particulars, let’s just follow Jesus’ words, and don’t make vows to prove our words. Let your “yes” be “yes” and your “no” mean “no.” We don’t have to make bargains with God by making vows. Just ask God. Jephthah was God’s instrument, a man of faith,  to deliver the Israelites from bondage. 

David

God called David a man after God’s own heart. What does that mean? It means he desired similar things that God desires. The LORD wants truth in the inward parts, and he wants us to be holy for he is holy. David failed and committed adultery and murder. But God was rich in mercy toward him. He didn’t lose his throne, but his favorite son, Absalom staged a coup against him. David left his throne for awhile until Absalom was killed. God punished King David and his family severely for David’s sins and for relying on himself.

God wants us to trust and believe he’s Sovereign, and he has the power, might, and wisdom to save or to help us through anything. Our part is to rely on him, as a young child does his good and kind father. God wants us to grow up learning more and more about him, to obey, love, and enjoy him. He wants us to love him with all our might. He wants us to help others and to testify of him so they might come to know him, too. When we trust God to be our Savior, we have the presence and power of God with us to accomplish anything he desires. He’s also our shield and hiding place.

Like many of us, David had to learn these truths by experience. Many of these life challenges were very difficult, and it was hard to see a way out…until he looked to God. No wonder we identify with so many of the Psalms he wrote.

A man of God (An anonymous prophet)

To save time, this is all we know about him. In 1 Kings 13:1-3 King Jeroboam had been given ten tribes of Israel to rule (the northern kingdom). Because he was fearful, they would return to rejoin the southern kingdom during special feast days, he made idols for his tribes to worship.  The “Man of God” confronts Jeroboam.

1 Kings 13:1-3 And behold, a man of God came out of Judah by the word of the Lord to Bethel. Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make offerings.  And the man cried against the altar by the word of the Lord and said, “O altar, altar, thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.’” And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign that the Lord has spoken: ‘Behold, the altar shall be torn down, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out.’”

All we know about this man of God is that he prophesied that the altar Jeroboam set up for worship would be destroyed. Jeroboam got mad and God afflicted him with Leprosy. Jeroboam pleaded with him to ask God to heal him, and he did, and then the altar was destroyed. Jeroboam wanted to reward him for healing him, but God wanted him to return and not eat anything. Later on, however, the prophet does accept a dinner invitation, when deceived by an old prophet. For not following God’s original instructions, the younger prophet is killed. Read the rest of the story here.

Elijah and Elisha

Elijah and Elisha were both called men of God. Elisha’s ministry lasted longer so he was called a man of God more times than Elijah. People recognized them for their position, and given the miraculous things they did in God’s name, who can blame them? Besides the miracles, what distinguishes them as men of God?

  • They were Called, meaning God gave them an assignment. Both Elijah and Elisha were called to confront Baal worship in Israel and try to win their hearts back to the LORD
  • Obedience was never questioned. When God told either of these prophets to do something, they didn’t argue, they obeyed.
  • Sacrifice was a part of their ministry. Whether they were told to live on meager rations or deliver a difficult message that might threaten their life, they sacrificed convenience and comfort.
  • People recognized their unique relationship with God. When the prophet prayed or prophesied, things happened.
    • Elijah prayed that a barren woman would have a child and she did. Later, that child died and Elijah prayed he would rise again, and the boy came back to life.
    • Under God’s direction, Elijah prayed and it wouldn’t rain in the Middle East for three years. After the contest (see below), Elijah prayed again, and God sent a huge rainstorm. Are we known for our prayer life? Do things happen when we pray? Has God got our ear?
    • Elijah challenged 450 prophets of Baal and 450 prophets of Asherah (Baal’s female counterpart) to a contest with God Almighty to show the Israelites who the true God is. All day long the prophets of Baal cried out to their fictious god to burn up the sacrifice. Nothing happened. Elijah starts mocking them. Here is the rest of the story (my favorite):

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18, NIV)

At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.

Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”

“Do it again,” he said, and they did it again.

“Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.

At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”

Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.

It’s amazing that Elijah relied on God to do miracles and then got afraid of Jezebel. God told him to anoint Elisha, and Elisha took over his ministry. This is a picture of Elijah being carried off with heavenly chariots. He left his ministry and mantle (robe) to Elisha. From then on, Elisha would finish the work Elijah started. Picture provided by WordPress.

Daniel

God called Daniel a man of God when Daniel was old. As a youth, he didn’t give in to the culture of his day. He and his friends obeyed God no matter the consequences. He and they prayed boldly, and God answered. Throughout his life Daniel was devoted to God and his faithful servant. How will we end? Will it be said that we were a man or woman of God?

What about women? If you are a woman, what woman of God do you identify with and why? What makes her so?

Women in the Bible who were women of God

Ruth

Ruth wasn’t even Jewish, but she became a Jewish proselyte when she begged to stay with Naomi, her mother-in-law. Ruth was a virtuous woman who cared for her mother-in-law, risking her own safety to provide food for them. God calls this woman to marry a good Jewish man, Boaz, a near relative of Naomi. He became her kinsman redeemer. He purchased her land, and claimed the right to marry Ruth. One of their descendants was Jesus Christ, our kinsman redeemer. Jesus became flesh like us and purchased our redemption (salvation) with the price of his blood (more)

Rahab

Rahab? What??? Wasn’t she a…a…a…harlot? Formally. It was probably because of her reputation that the spies were easily accepted into her home. Why was she a woman of God? Because she feared the God of the Israelites. Hebrews 11:31 says” By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. In the book of James, the Lord’s half-brother, says, “In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?” James 2:25 (NIV) Did you hear that? She was considered righteous! This might give some women hope who have led a rough life and made poor choices. If you believed God, repented, and turned from your sin, God can use you like he can with anyone else. 

Here are some other women to consider: Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, Miriam the prophetess, Deborah the Judge, Huldah the prophetess, Abigail (who married David), and Esther. Were they instruments in the hand of God or women of God?

Let’s take a closer look at Esther, Deborah, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Jesus. Let’s find out what made them women of God.

Esther.  Mordecai raised Esther after she lost her parents. As she grew up, she listened to her Uncle Mordecai’s advice. Through unusual circumstances, the queen of Persia, Vashti, was ousted, and Esther became queen. Mordecai asked her to keep her Jewish heritage a secret, because of antisemitism. However, when the Jewish people faced annihilation under the order of Haman, the special counsel to the King, something must be done. Esther couldn’t hide and let her people perish. Esther revealed her nationality and was willing to put it all on the line to plea for the lives of her people. God used Esther for such a time as this. 

Deborah. Deborah was a highly respected woman. She was a prophetess and rose to the position of Judge over Israel. She was called a mother of Israel. She was able to recruit volunteers to lead the fight against the Canaanites, Israel’s enemies. Then she composed and sang a song, giving God and the volunteers the glory for overwhelming victories over the Canaanites 

Now let’s go to the New Testament and see who are termed “men of God” or “women of God” and why.

We started with the men last time. Let’s start with the women this time.

Mary Magdalene

Jesus cast seven demons from her and she was forever grateful. She always followed Jesus and his disciples and supported them from her means. By this, we might infer that she was a wealthy woman. Even while Jesus hung on the cross she was there. She attended to him as he was being buried in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb, and she was the first one Jesus appeared to after his resurrection. A woman of God is attentive to him, always there, ready to serve, and will sacrifice what she has for him. Quite a lesson for us, isn’t it?

Mary, the mother of Jesus

What do you know about Mary the mother of Jesus? Did you know she was probably a young teenager when she got pregnant? Yes, it was scandalous, and in that day it was worse because she was betrothed (legally married) to Joseph. She could have been stoned.

What else do you know about Mary? I think she would have been the gentlest, most discreet, astute, faithful, and mature of young women in a Jr. High youth group. I think when anyone would have heard that Mary was pregnant, they would have exclaimed, No! Not Mary! Why she is the purest, most godliest girl ever. It can’t be! No! Have you ever read Luke 1? The Catholics call it Mary’s magnificant. It is the song of Mary for being chosen to be Jesus’ mother. Notice how she’s not thinking of herself but her nation. Luke 1:46-55.

46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”
Mary the mother of Jesus
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She could have questioned God, not believing what he said. But Mary believed the impossible–she would miraculously conceive a male child, a savior.

“Be it unto me as you have said,” was her reply. Simple faith. Mary trusted God would bring things to pass and work out all the details because he can, even with Joseph. She would be willing to bear any reproach for God, including the disdain and frowns of her friends, family, and the rabbi’s. She could have boasted to her family and friends, “I have been chosen to bear the Messiah!” or railed against their concurrent laughter, “You just wait till my son is born, and you’ll get what’s coming to you. You’ll regret laughing at me.”

No, Mary was quiet. She was thoughtful, and she worshipped God for bringing their savior into the world.

And so, the virgin gave birth to her first-born son and named him Jesus, for he would save his people from their sins. (Mt. 1:21)

Depiction of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus

End of story, right? Wrong. She eventually had to come to the point that all mothers should come to: They have to turn their child over to become an adult.

When Jesus was 12, a year earlier than his Bar mitzvah, he stayed behind when his family finished their trek to Jerusalem for the yearly Passover Feast day. They didn’t understand why Jesus stayed behind. When they went back to search for him, they found him in the temple both asking and answering questions from the Jewish leaders. Jesus answered them, “didn’t you know I must be in my Father’s house doing my Father’s business?” Certainly, Jesus didn’t mean he was drumbing up more carpentry business for Joseph, so who is the Father? You are right, he was talking about his heavenly Father. Mary and Joseph remembered then that this special boy was the Son of God.

Was this the end of challenges for Mary? No, not by a long shot. What would you do if massive crowds followed one of your adult children, and he was constantly challenging the religious leaders of the day? Jesus was criticizing and questioning their authority. What was he thinking? He was being controversial, and Jesus’ family wanted to protect themselves and him from their displeasure. They didn’t want to be black-listed, thrown out of the synagogue, or have the Jewish leaders turn him over to the Romans for making trouble. But Jesus didn’t want to see them. Instead, he said those who seek to do the Father’s will are his sisters, mothers, and brothers. What risk would we be willing to take to fulfill God’s will? Read the story here.

Still Mary had more to bear–something a mother would never wish to face–a violent death for her son, a hate crime perpetrated by her own people, the very ones he came to save. Instead of delivering them from Roman oppression, he would be killed by them. How then could he save his people (the Jews) from their sins? How could he offer salvation to the world?

Jesus was cruelly beaten and a crown of thorns placed upon his head. Blood streamed down his head and face so he was unrecognizable. But Mary knew him. When the soldiers forced Jesus to lay his bleeding flayed back on the cross and nailed him to the cross, every hammer blow was a blow to her heart. At the end, when the soldier pierced Jesus side with a sword, Mary was pierced in her heart.

She may have been confused, but she had faith in God. Even when he was dead, she could recall the words the angel said to her: You will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Wasn’t he a messenger of God? Of course. Was this the way to do it–a sinless sacrifice? Must it cost Jesus his life?

Jesus cared about his mother. From the cross he says to John, “behold your mother,” and to his mother Mary he says, “behold your son.” He wanted John to take care of his mother, since apparently his earthly father, Joseph, had passed away. Of all the disciples, John was the closest friend to Jesus, and he entrusts his mother to him. Mary went home with John that day, and John looked after her. After Jesus arose and ascended back to his Father in heaven, Mary was with the rest of the disciples and was one who received the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14; Acts 2)

Timothy

In the Apostle Paul’s first letter to his protege, Timothy, Paul warns him against false teachers, engaging in contentious discussions, and being greedy for money. A man of God is not to act like that. It’s just the opposite. Read more. 

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he says that the man of God must be a man of the Word. That means he continually studies the Bible and understands how it rightly applies to him. Just a plug here: Are you confused about how the Bible is arranged and what it means? Reading the Bible chronologically and following our Bible studies can bring you from confusion to clarity and conviction.

Jesus’ example

Finally, we come to Jesus. Jesus had this conversation with his disciples to teach them how to be an instrument of God

First, however, we look at his coming. Jesus laid aside his glory and became one of us, a man in the flesh. His purpose was to do God’s will.

Matthew 20:17-28, esv.

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

A Mother’s Request

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,c] 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,d] 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

The disciples understood the words Jesus spoke about being crucified in Jerusalem, but they thought Jesus was just under a lot of stress or having a bad day. He was going to be the king of Israel and they wanted in on it. So, the apostles James and John got their mother to talk to Jesus. She tried to persuade him to let her sons have high-ranking positions in his kingdom. 

Jesus asked the two disciples if they were able to drink the same cup as he would. James and John thought it would be a glorious golden cup they would be drinking because they expected Jesus to become the king of the Jews. However, it would not be a glorious cup of celebration but crucifixion. 

Jesus had to teach his disciples about true greatness. True greatness comes from being a servant. From this discussion, we will get several ideas about what a servant is so we, too, might pursue being a man or woman of God. 

Let’s back up a bit…how do we begin to become a man or woman of God? Interestingly enough, a pharisee unknowingly asked this question of Jesus. Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesusa] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born againb] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus recognized not only that Jesus was a man of God but that he came from God. This is faith. Jesus sees right to the desires of his heart–Nicodemus wants to know God and be assured he’s going to heaven. It’s not enough for him to be a descendant of Abraham or to be a good law-keeping pharisee. To be a man of God starts with being born again. 

Born again? What’s that? Surely, Nicodemus says, you can’t mean I have to enter my mother’s womb and be born again!

It’s not that kind of birth, Jesus says. You were born once physically, but you must be born spiritually to see the kingdom of heaven. 16 “For God so loved the world,i] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:16-18, esv) 

Do you want to be a man or woman of God? Do you see that you are spiritually dead, unless you respond to God’s Spirit to turn from your sins to Jesus for salvation? He offers forgiveness,  peace, and eternal life to all that respond to his call to be saved (more).

Let’s assume you are saved. That’s the first step. Now what?

You need to follow God. You need to read his Word, know all about him, and do whatever he tells you. Do you need to reconcile with someone? Do it. Do you need to spend more time with him? Then pray, not with your grocery list, but according to his will. 

A Man or Woman of God Prays and Relies on God

As Jesus’ disciples, they once asked him to teach them to pray as John the baptizer taught his disciples. Jesus said,

11 Now Jesusa] was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread,b]
and forgive us our sins,
    for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”

At another time, Jesus says something similar to the crowds following him: “

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.a]
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,b]
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,c]
12 and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.d]

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Are you following Jesus? Are you doing as the Bible commands? Are you praying for God’s glory? Are you confessing your sins to those you’ve offended and to God? Are you praying and relying on God’s help. You can’t do it alone, you know. 

In another place Jesus said

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunesa] so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

A Man or Woman of God is Willing to Suffer for Him

Are we relying on God to help us in life’s struggles? Do you know we will face adversity? Satan will oppose you if you try to be a man or woman of God. 

All who live godly lives in Christ Jesus will face persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). The Apostle Paul says this to Timothy, a young pastor who gave his life to Christ under Paul’s ministry. Paul calls Timothy a man of God twice in his letters to him. He urged Timothy not to quit because he was facing opposition.

Are you not facing persecution? Perhaps no one knows that you are fully committed to Christ. Perhaps you are not trying to bring people into the kingdom by witnessing what God has done for you. Start today, if you want to become a man or woman of God. Share the messages of God like prophets of old, and be prepared for opposition and suffering. No one enjoys suffering, but if you want to become a man or woman of God, that’s part of it. Do we love Christ or the comforts of the world? If you love the world, you can’t be a disciple of Christ. You can’t be a man or woman of God — it requires a choice. Who will you serve?

 

Conclusion: What makes a person a man or woman of God and not just an instrument in his hands?

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