The Man God Uses, Part 2 – Luke 1:80

When God looks for a person to use, He doesn’t look at their gifts or special talents. Even the man blind from birth is used for His glory (Jn 9:31-33). The Apostles were fishermen, uneducated and unskilled (Ac 4:13). We sometimes confuse men’s giftedness versus their qualification. God wants to use someone who is qualified rather than gifted. He wants to use someone who is transformed rather than informed.

Strong in spirit
To be strong in spirit means your inside life is getting stronger. John the Baptist was the last prophet and lived the life a Nazirite. The text says he was strong in spirit. We too, must be like him. To be strong in spirit, we must have some traits, some evidence of spiritual growth. The following are eight characteristics demonstrated by John the Baptist.

1. Honest: nothing to hide before God. While John the Baptist was gain popularity in His ministry, and people were confused, he clarifies He is not the Christ. (John 2:19-20). Like Daniel’s friends who were truthful before the furnace (Dan 3:16-18), God uses honest men. Believers have the call to be honest (Eph 4:15)

2. Humble: submitting to God and His will. John the Baptist knew his baptism was of water, but Christ’s was the true and greater baptism. God loves the humble because they are willing to be molded, like clay. God humbles His children through suffering and hardship, preparing them for their service before Him. It was the humbleness of Jesus by which God accomplished our salvation (Phil 2:3-5). A humble person trusts in God and understands that hardship is God’s beginning to use them.

3. Courageous: Though it was dangerous and against those in power, John the Baptist called the Pharisees a brood of vipers (Lk 3:7-9). They were the elite and they could have easily found reason to stone him. Jesus did the same thing and they tried to kill him (Lk 4:28-29). God tells Joshua as the new leader of the Israelites to be strong and courageous (Dt 31:23). We have no need to fear, for God is with us. We do not even fear death because Jesus has paid the price for all our sins. Many in the early church, like Prisca and Aquila, risked their lives for the Lord. It’s hard to find Christians who are courageous. We must remember we are at war and Jesus is our Commander in Chief.

4. Faithful: meaning God can depend on you. Even though you’re not perfect, you can be dependable. Jesus depending on John the Baptist to baptize Him (Mt 3:13). You can be faithful by having conviction, commitment and confidence in the truth. Abraham believed God and God reckoned it to him as righteousness. When Abrahams was called to offer his precious son, he was faithful and God used him (Gen 22:10-11). The Lord doesn’t about your ability but your availability.

5. Has faith. John the Baptist believed the message he declared (Mt 3:1-2). Faith is refusal to panic and faith is defined by the object. For the believer, Jesus is the object of faith. We must practice faith in all circumstances. Our church needs biblical faith. If you have faith then you will never fear anything. Instead, we must be like Joshua and Caleb who had faith in what God said concerning the promised land. Everyone else was fearful and fell away. Without faith it is impossible to please God, meaning we cannot be used. It doesn’t matter how much faith you have but that you practice it (Lk 17:6).

6. Pure sexual life. In Luke 7:33 it says John did come eating bread or drinking wine, which shows the John the Baptist refrained from the earthly pleasures. John the Baptist had great influence and popularity, sure there were women who were attracted to him, yet he remained pure. Nowadays, the temptation is pornography and even some pastors and women get hooked. The Bible gives severe warning that the sexually immoral will not inherit the kingdom (1 Cor 6:9-10). Sexual sin is more serious than other sins, it is a crime against our union with Christ.

7. Patient: slow to anger. In Luke 3:1-3, John the Baptist waits until the appropriate time to begin preaching and speaking out against the sins of Israel. In Jesus’ ministry, it’s hard to find times when He is angry. It’s also hard to see Apostle Paul get angry. Christians must also be patient. The Lord commands us to be patient.

8. Full of joy. John the Baptist exclaims his complete joy from knowing Jesus (Jn 3:29-30). John compared Jesus to the groom and himself as a joyful bride. We too, the church, are the bride of Christ. Our joy is complete in Jesus.

These are the characteristics of John the Baptist, who was strong in spirit and used by God. This is our purpose as a Christian. We can either be used by God or be used by Satan.