“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
let him do it as with the ability
“Ability” indicating strength afforded by power. Our ministry springs from the power of God. This is a person who already possesses strength and can put it into action. “Ability” is endowed power. This is a power that is not our own. It is a power bestowed upon us. This may refer to the filling of the Holy Spirit. God makes effective and authentic what we do by the power of the Spirit. We do what we do in the power of God. It is a power God gives as a possession.
The book of Revelation ascribes this power to God, denoting might, strength, power. Ephesians 1:19 refers to His mighty power,” i.e., control (over external things) exercised by strength.
PRINCIPLE:
God will give us the ability to minister.
APPLICATION:
God will enlarge our capacity to serve him. He first gives us the capability to minister by giving us a gift. Then as we cultivate the gift, He makes us more potent. If we are faithful to our gift, God will enlarge our area of responsibility. He will push back horizons for more significant ministry.
Are you dying of spiritual dry rot? If God opens an opportunity for you, seize the day no matter how insignificant it may seem. He will give you something greater if you are faithful in the small thing (Mt 25:21). God has his system of promotion and demotion. God will take you from an untrained, unequipped background and use you mightily. All he asks is that you are willing. God looks at the heart. You may not have eight cylinders, but only four. God will use those four cylinders for his glory. No college can gift people for ministry. That is God’s prerogative. The school can only develop the gift that is already there. It cannot supply the gift. It is God who gives the ability (Zech 4:6).
