Grace Awakening

            We call them “unusable,” “disqualified,” unqualified,” and a host of other descriptions.  They come from all walks of life and all manner of background. 

            In our traditional mindset we see the undesirables as unfit for the ministry of God.  We lay against them our own interpretation of spiritual standards which would make them fit for ministry or use by the Almighty.  How quickly we forget that God uses the undesirable misfit in the greatest way.  The Bible is filled with men and women that modern, fundamentalist Christians would disqualify because of their life history.  Take, for example, Adam and Eve.  Their sin plunged mankind into depravity, yet God chose to issue the promise of Messiah through them.  Abraham was living in a culture steeped in idolatry.  He listened to God’s call and moved.  He lied and deceived.  He disbelieved the promise of God, yet God made him into a great nation and his name is still revered today.  How about Jacob?  He lied and cheated, yet God changed his name to Israel and fulfilled the promise through him.  We would have disqualified Joseph because he dreamed dreams and bragged to his brothers.  When he went to Egypt, he became second in all of Egypt, a godless society that worshipped its kings.  Judah slept with Tamar his daughter-in-law.  Tamar played the prostitute.  We would have certainly prohibited Moses from any type of ministry.  He grew up under the influence of the Egyptian court.  He killed a man and fled the scene.  He himself said he could not communicate and did not wish to stand before Pharoah alone.  He lacked the faith that God would use him in a mighty way.  Rahab was a prostitute.  Samson was reckless and indulgent.  Samuel failed to raise his son’s correctly.  David stole another man’s wife and then had the husband killed to cover his sin.  In his pride he numbered the people as a testament to his greatness.  Solomon turned his heart from God.  Elijah whined and doubted. Hezekiah had a proud moment which cost the kingdom.  Esther tried out for the part of queen of Persia. Jeremiah complained to God. Matthew cheated the taxpayers.  Peter failed to control his mouth and his emotions.  The man from the Gerasenes was possessed by a legion of demons.  Paul murdered and persecuted Christians in the name of God.

            All these people would have been despised and disqualified according to our standards today.  It is a good thing that God does not pay attention to our standards.  Joseph would not have saved the Egyptians and his family from certain starvation.  Judah and Tamar would not have been listed in the genealogy of Christ. Moses would not have had the intimate relationship with God that he did nor would he have led the nation of Israel to her freedom.  Rahab would not have been found in Christ’s genealogy as well.  Samuel would not have been instrumental in building the nation of Israel, and David would have not been termed a “man after God’s own heart” nor would he have been the one through whom the Messiah came.  Matthew would not have been a disciple or a founder of the early church.  The Gerasenes would not have been evangelized.  Paul certainly would not have become the greatest New Testament figure, aside from Christ.