GOD ONLY USES DIRTY VESSELS What do you mean God uses only dirty vessels? I know God is using me, cause I pray five times a day, I go to church every Sunday, I help old people cross the road, I wear my dresses long, I don’t wear makeup, and the list continues. There are so many reasons people think makes them acceptable to God. Well this is nothing but ignorance to God’s word. The Bible specifically tells us that all have fallen short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23) explains that no one is good enough to be accepted into the kingdom, on their own merits. (Rom. 3:24) Tells us all or everyone is justified with God, because of His love for mankind, through the redemption of Jesus Christ. God did not wait for me or you to be born, taught right from wrong, and grow up acting holy, before He gave us the right to enter the kingdom. No the Bible says God gave every person on earth the unconditional favor and mercy needed, freely. Jesus came to earth to give mankind this good news. The reason it is important to know that we cannot enter the kingdom on our own is that it sets us free. Knowing I am acceptable because of God’s love mean I don’t have to work at being acceptable to God. The Spirit of God, working within, leads me the right way. The Spirit of God working within keeps me from harming others. The same Spirit causes me to love all humanity. There is no way I could love mankind without knowing I was acceptable to God. Believe me when I tried to work enough for God’s gift of salvation I was a liar. I showed out in front of mankind, acting as if I had the love of God, but behind closed doors I was defeated. But, when I read (1Cor. 13:1-3) I realized why I was in captivity. I was going through the motion but had no love in my heart, cause I didn’t know God loved mankind. Once a religious person, filled with doubt, misunderstanding, ignorance, and to double my ignorance, I did not ask questions. I went to church every Sunday, because that is what I learned. I disliked anyone who did not fall within my small vision of serving God. I would never go to a night club and scorned anyone wearing makeup. I was so filled with self pride, it is a wonder anyone talked to me. The misunderstanding of Jas. (2:17) was my foundation? James simply says that faith without works is dead. He does not say that you must work for your faith. Think about it a moment with your heart and you will see that James means that you can tell a person with faith by their works of faith, or simply put, works of love. This is exactly what the Master said, "You shall know a tree by the fruit it bears." Jesus was not saying an orange tree should bear apples, but an orange tree is identified by the oranges it bare. The same way it should be for Christians, they should bear the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, fruits that help mankind. So you can see why the Bible tells us that Jesus came for the sins of the world. God knew not one man could make it on his own. I am so glad God knew me before I knew myself and included me and you, in His plan of salvation. Knowing God’s salvation was free delivered me from self destruction. When I first heard Andrew Womack say that God uses us despite ourself, I was shocked. Mr. Womack continued to explain how God used Abraham, David, Saul, Jonah, Moses and other great saints, despite their problems, showed me that I was worthy to be used by God. From the moment I learned I was good enough for God’s service, my heart longed to be used. Five years after I found out I was acceptable by God; my life is wonderful. I love being a light unto others, and giving has become a way of life. Now that I know I am worthy to be used by God I allow Him to guide me. Let me say that I was dirty as they get when God started using me. And as I open myself more to the leading of the love of God, I became cleaner and cleaner. Today I am clean, and my heart is much bigger than before. I have peace knowing I am acceptable to God. What about you?