Acts 14:15
“And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:”
As was prophesied in the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit used men like Paul and Barnabas in a mighty way. While in Lystra, there was a man who was crippled from birth. He had never walked to the store, never played in a ballgame with his friends or taken an early morning walk with his pet. The only way this man could get around was if someone carried him from place to place. There is no doubt this is a truly sad story.
One day this man heard about some preachers in town, and he asked someone to carry him to hear them. After hearing Paul speak, the Scriptures teach that this man had faith that he could be healed. Paul perceiving this, told the man to “Stand upright on thy feet,” to which at this command God immediately healed him. The men of the city saw what happened and they thought that Paul and Barnabas were gods. Paul immediately corrected their thinking by reminding them, “Sirs…We also are men of like passions with you…” In other words, they were worshipping the subject and not the source of the subjects power. Paul was simply reminding them to worship God, and not those who are subjects to Him.
It is very easy to become enamored with what God is doing through someone’s life. It is easy to get focused upon the men whom God has used or is using in a great way, but we must always remember that these men are men of like passions. In other words, these men are subject to the same problems we face, but they yielded themselves to Him which enabled them to do the mighty works. You must be remember that these men were simply subject to the power of God. Without God’s power, they are just men. Better yet, with God’s power they are just men, but God saw fit to use men of like passions.
Moreover, when we take our focus off God and place it upon the men who are subject to Him, then He will remove them for He will not share His glory. Christian, as much as you may admire a man whom God has used or is using, be very careful not to take glory away from God. God will not share His glory with men of like passions.
Furthermore, the God Who used other men of like passions can use you as well. Friend, you are not so inferior that God couldn’t use you. The people whom God has used are subject to the same problems you face, but they simply yielded themselves to God for His use. If you, by faith, will yield yourself to God, you will find that He can also perform great works through you.
Never allow yourself to worship men who are subject to the same passions you are. Always remember there is only One Who deserves your worship: God. Don’t take the glory God deserves and bestow it upon men of like passions. Always be careful to give God the glory for everything, and let the mighty works He performs through others remind you that He can do the same through you if you will simply yield to Him.