“Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” 1 Timothy 2:7
Dear Ones:
Perhaps the greatest similarity between the Apostle Paul and the Lord Jesus, was the devotion to God that he had by the Spirit, according to the calling of God. When we study the life of the Apostle, we see the devotion of Christ within him, a zeal and focus, that is given by God. There is in that quiet intensity, the manifestation of Christ, with regard to His compassion and love for humanity, but also, the devotion to the Father for the saving of many. How do we recognize this, and also, discover the keys of following and knowing Christ in this manner?
From the very beginning of Paul’s experience of Christ, we find that God not only revealed to him that Christ now dwelled in his heart by faith, but that his calling, along with his gifts, were specifically revealed to accomplish a mission. To the Galatian Christians he would write: “When it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen…” (1:16) To Timothy, he would write that he had been ordained, or set apart by God, to be a preacher, and an apostle, a “teacher of the Gentiles.” (1 Tim. 2:7) To Ananias, who would be sent to Saul of Tarsus (Paul) after meeting the Lord on the road to Damascus, the Lord Jesus would say of Paul: “…for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” (Acts 9:15) Paul had a first hand knowledge of his calling. It was clear and convincing. From the time that the Lord revealed Himself to Paul, and the massive shift of allegiance occurred away from the world, and his “religious” pursuits, to Christ, there was born in him a holy focus according to the knowledge of his calling. He would discover the gifts that God had given him, and these he would “stir up,” use and develop to the greatest possible extent. The focus in his life would be first of all, Christ, then His gospel. He learned to do all things for Christ, according to his calling, for the gospel. All was to contribute to his highest calling in life, to know Christ, and to make Him known. What can we, as believers, learn from Paul’s example, and Christ’s dealings with Him?
The first thing we learn is that Paul was dominated by a vision, first of Christ, but also, of his calling. Scripture tells us that: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Prov. 29:18) The Lord Jesus had a vision of His Father, that was clear and real. He also had a clear vision of His mission, and how to accomplish it. Paul, following in the Lord’s steps, also had a vision, both of God and Christ’s calling. Because of its clarity, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, Paul was persuaded and convinced of what he must trust God for. It seems that all of Paul’s received, and redemption energies, were concentrated on serving Christ by the Spirit, according to the will of God.
Secondly, Paul grasped that not only must there be a vision of Christ and His calling, but a clear understanding of God’s ways and provision for every need. He learned the difference between the law of sin and death, and the law of the Spirit of life (Romans 8:2). His “vision” of walking by the Spirit, being led by the Spirit, trusting Christ for every need by the Spirit, was the essential “way of faith” necessary to appropriate Christ for every need. In all of his ministry, whether there was the need to be led clearly, as in the case of the “Macedonian Call,” or the need to be strengthened in his heart to speak boldly, testifying of Christ, he found God a very present help in time of need.
Dear Father, Grant us Thy vision of Christ, and our calling, strengthening us to follow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad