SERVING GOD’S PURPOSE

2 Timothy 1:1-18

Friday, 31 October 2025

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.    -2 Timothy 1:9 [NLT]

What a privilege to be saved, called and appointed for service by the God of all creation! Both Paul and Timothy are fine examples of God’s chosen vessels. He did not choose them because of certain qualities, but once in God’s Hands, He made them unique instruments for His glory. Paul addresses himself as “an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus..” (V.1) As for Timothy, Paul speaks of the genuine faith in him (V.5) and the gift of God that was given to him (V.6). They were both called and used purposefully by the Lord in their lifetime!

As God’s chosen, we shouldn’t forget that each of us has a road to travel on. Though everychosen believer has a purpose, there are a few lives that the Lord will use for specific purposes for His glory. In the house of Jesse were many boys, but David was chosen and anointed by the Lord for a divine assignment (1 Samuel 16).

In His sovereignty, God may set aside and use people we consider the most unpopular amongst us. 1 Cor.1:27-28 [GNT] tells us, “God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful. He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important.” As we see in the choice of Jesus’ disciples, the Lord picked people from varied walks of life—fishermen, a tax collector, a doubter. Yet God used them as his witnesses to the ends of the earth to share the good news to a lost and dying world.

These chosen men experienced the grace of God, the forgiveness from sin into a brand-new life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All that God expected from them was an intimate relationship with Him that could not be severed even in the face of extreme persecution;each of them laid down his life proclaiming Christ as LORD. 

Both Paul and Timothy went through challenging situations in their lives and ministry yet proved to be faithful. This was possible only because they knew whom they had believed. (2Tim 1:12) So no matter what they faced, they were willing to march forward for Kingdom purposes. As Paul highlights, how he was deserted by everyone in the province of Asia—these are not celebrated moments of victory! Yet we know how Paul was successful in fulfilling the purpose to which God called him. In the same way, though we are blessed with various skills/ talents to serve the Lord, all that the Lord expects from His chosen, is a deep-rooted relationship and commitment to Him. 

We who are set aside for the Lord’s work are bound to face challenges and crises, but in it all, we must first understand that His grace is needed to face each new day. Secondly we must remember that there is a cloud of witnesses who have gone before us leaving a legacy that we can emulate(Heb 12:1).

So, what are some promises to hold on when facing difficulties in our ministry journey?

1. … God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.(2Tim 1:.7)  

2. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1Cor.1:9). 

3. Remember that in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our labor will never go in vain (1 Cor.15:58)—

4. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb.13:5);

So, let us then always press on to the mark of our high calling!

Our Assurance: “…There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. (Phil 1: 6 The Msg) 

Listen: 'His grace will carry you'