Romans 15:17-18 NASB [17] Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. [18] For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me…
Acts 19:11-12 NASB [11] God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, [12] so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.
I have often found Christians intimidated when put into situations where they are praying for the miraculous to be released in a person’s life. The issues of feeling unqualified, and inadequate often come up. Even though those feelings carry a sense of humility, the truth is they are actually very self-centered. You see, insecurity and pride are simply two different sides of the same coin. Both are focused on an independent self. John 15 does tell us that apart from Him, we can do nothing; but the good news is that you are not apart from Him, but are instead in Him. We share a vital union with the very life of Christ, and therefore, your ability or inability is totally irrelevant. The only issue for a Christian is that “You can do all things in Christ who strengthens you.” You and I, being in Christ, can walk in restful confidence in the Christ who can accomplish all things through us. Paul said he boasted in what Christ accomplished through him. That’s not an attitude of arrogance or one that draws attention to yourself, but it is the true attitude of humility that confidently gives Jesus all the glory. Acts 19 says that God was performing extraordinary miracles at the hands of Paul. It does not say that Paul was performing extraordinary miracles for God, but instead, God was performing the miracles through Paul’s available hands. The only qualification that is necessary for any Christian to be supernaturally used by God is that they be in Christ. If you are in Christ, then because of your union with Him, it is Jesus who accomplishes all things through us. If put in a situation, not just ministry situations, that exposes a sense of inadequacy in you, then simply remember that you are in Christ, and it is the adequacy of Christ that you are counting on. He will always be faithful.