NOTHING
By F. SUTER
May we talk about the word NOTHING
in various connections in which we find it in the precious book that God has
given us? Let us turn first to Gal. 6 : 3 where we read: If a man think himself to be something when he is NOTHING, he deceiveth
himself. Such self-deception in
a servant of Christ is fatal. For by it
he renders himself unusable in the hands of his Lord. Let us beware of an exaggerated idea of
ourselves, our importance, our ability, our gifts. Be not wise in your
own conceits says Paul (Rom. 12: 16).
Seest thou a
man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him (Prov. 26: 12). Woe unto them that
are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight (Isaiah 5: 21). Even the Apostle Paul was in danger of being exalted above measure through the abundance of the
revelations given unto him. Therefore the Lord Jesus saw that it was
needful to give to him a thorn in the flesh, a messenger
of Satan to buffet him. When the
purpose of it was revealed to him he ceased to ask for deliverance; but
rejoiced in the sufficient grace of Christ. Following that it is most interesting
to observe the Apostle Pauls estimate of himself: (1) He says that he is the chief of sinners (1 Tim.
1: 15). (2) Least, of the Apostles, and not meet to be called an Apostle
(1 Cor. 15: 9). (3) Less than the
least of all saints. It seems as
if he could not find A low enough place and so puts himself below the least. (4) Finally he says: though
I be NOTHING (2 Cor. 12: 11). So then neither is he
that planteth ANYTHING, neither he
that watereth; but God that giveth the increase" (1 Cor. 3: 7).
Now let.us turn to 1
Cor. 9: 16, where we find the word NOTHING
in another connection. Here the Apostle
Paul says: Though I preach the gospel, I have NOTHING to glory of: for necessity is
laid upon me. He goes a step
further and adds: Yea, woe is unto me if I preach not
the gospel. The word translated necessity implies a compelling urge, constraint,
hence an obligation to do; no alternative but to do, therefore he must preach
the gospel. The word is used in this
sense in Luke 23: 17. The late C. H. Spurgeon used to say to the
students in Pastors College: Dont preach if you can help it. He had learned the truth of this verse. The true servant of Christ preaches the gospel
because he cant help it, he feels the urge of the necessity laid upon him.
Therefore he has NOTHING to boast
of. Praise God for every servant of
Christ who is conscious of that urge, that constraint, and who apprehends the
woe of not preaching the gospel, for it alone is the
power of God unto salvation to everyone who believeth.
Now let us turn to 2 Cor.
6: 10. As poor yet making many rich; as having NOTHING, yet possessing all things. I wonder if we have ever considered this
aspect of the service of Christ. Having NOTHING ourselves yet having the
distinguished honour of being the dispensers of the unsearchable riches of
Christ. As poor
yet making many rich. Blessed, says Jesus,
are the poor in
spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven. Christ, though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor,
that we, through His poverty, might be rich (2
Cor. 8: 9), Hath not God chosen the
poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs
of the kingdom which God hath promised to
them that love Him (James 2: 5). For all things are
yours; whether Paul or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or
things present, or things to come; all are yours: and ye are Christ's; and
Christ is Gods: (1 Cor. 3: 21-23). Then the Apostle goes on to say (1 Cor. 4: 1):
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the
mysteries of God. What a position! What an honour! He gives us also this assurance: God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of
His Son Jesus Christ our Lord: (1 Cor. 1: 9).
Let us consider with humility and
gratitude this exalted position, and rejoice in the distinguished honour and
privilege of being made, though we are NOTHING
in ourselves, and have NOTHING,
dispensers of the unsearchable riches of Christ, Gods riches in glory by
Christ Jesus, as poor yet making many rich. Hallelujah!
Freely ye have received, freely
give (Matt. 10: 8) When I sent you, said Jesus to his
disciples, without purse and bag and shoes, lacked ye
anything? And they said, NOTHING (Luke 22: 35). In such circumstances as these is there any
room for anxiety? Be careful for NOTHING, says the Apostle Paul in
writing to the Philippian believers, but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God. And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus (Phil. 4: 6-7). Let patience have
her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting NOTHING (James 1: 4).
There is another interesting connection in which we
find this word. 1
Cor. 8: 2: If any man think that he knoweth
anything, he knoweth NOTHING yet as
he ought to know. Let us beware
of being proud of our knowledge. It is wiser to be ashamed of our ignorance
than to be proud of our little knowledge. For our encouragement let us consider that it
is of the NOTHINGS that God makes use. Now turn to 1
Cor. 1: 27: God hath chosen the foolish thing
of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the
world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world,
and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which ate not,
to bring to nought things that are. My strength,
said Jesus to the Apostle Paul, is made perfect in
weakiiess (2 Cor. 12: 9). God hath spoken once, says David, twice
have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God (Psalm 62: 11). All power,
said Jesus to his disciples, is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye
THEREFORE (Matt. 28: 18-19).
The great
hindrance with most of us is, that we are too strong in ourselves for God to
use us, and He has to use means in His wisdom to reduce our strength that He may
be able to demonstrate that the power is His and not ours. It is only when I am weak in myself that
Christ can be strong in me. When I am weak, says the Apostle Paul, then am I strong.
Without me,
says the Master, ye can do NOTHING.
Gideons case presents us
with a precious lesson. Gideon had put
God to the test three times, and God put Gideons faith to the test three
times. Gideon had gathered a great army
with which to fight against the Midianites; but God saw where Gideon saw not. The people are too
many for ME to give the Midianites
in to their hand, lest
- The Peruvian Inland