It is one thing to ask what can I do for Christ and quite another to ask what can Christ do through me. The first is limited by my weakness; the second is limited only by His power and choice. The Apostle Paul says in Rom. 15:1818For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, (Romans 15:18), "I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed.”
He recognized that he was only a channel through whom the blessing was flowing. The source was in the Master and not in the servant. It was Christ who wrought; the Apostle was only the means used by His all-wise and all-powerful hand. The work was Christ's. His was the glory and the praise for all that was done through the messenger, though He in grace will credit the servant and reward him for all that He possibly can. These words put the matter in its right form and let the servant be seen in his true place.
The same humility of mind is manifest in Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought through them while they were on their missionary journey. The work was God's, but they were the instruments. Today God is willing to employ us as His vessels in that which He is doing in grace in this world. The responsibility of being clean rests with us, vessels unto honor, sanctified, meet for the Master's use, prepared unto every good work. The channel may become blocked, and this will hinder the blessing from flowing.
Shall we not place ourselves afresh in the Lord's hands and ask Him for grace to be fit for Him to work through us? He seeks vessels for His service. They must be clear of obstruction and clean for Him to employ in the blessed service of making known the grace of God among men.