2 Timothy 1:1-18
Monday, 18 October 2021
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]
It’s a great privilege to be saved and called by the God of all creation. Both Paul and Timothy in our reading today are fine examples of God’s chosen vessels. Paul’s expression to Timothy as a true and faithful son, sheds light to the fact that when we sincerely set out hearts for God and the purpose of His relationship and calling upon our lives, He sets us aside for divine assignments.
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) He speaks of the genuine faith in Timothy (V.5) and calls to his remembrance his laying on of hands on Timothy (V.6). They were called and used purposefully by the Lord!
Serving the Lord’s true purpose on earth is not an easy task which we as the Lord’s chosen vessels need to understand. In as much as every dedicated believer of the Lord is chosen and set apart, yet the Lord has those He wants to use for specific purposes for His glory. In the house of Jesse were many boys, but David was set apart and chosen by the Lord for a divine assignment as He ordered his servant Samuel to anoint him.
Sometimes amongst believers too, God may choose to set aside and use people we may consider to be the most unpopular amongst us. For 1 Cor.1:27-28 says: “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.” He chooses people from varied walks of life for His purpose.
Though it is good to be equipped with various skills, the Lord’s plan for His chosen vessels involves a deep relationship and commitment with Him which is clearly assessed by the Lord. Paul’s expression to Timothy in 2 Tim 1:3-4 helps us to know that Timothy has gone through challenging moments yet proved to be faithful. Those set aside are bound to face challenges, but in all of this, His grace is needed, as we dedicatedly submit to the purpose of His divine calling.
We too must remember that when we are set aside/called for His divine purpose, we will pass through unforgettable challenging situations. Paul highlights here how he was deserted by everyone in the province of Asia including Phygelus and Hermogenes. These are not celebrated moments of victory! Yet we know how Paul was successful in his calling and the purpose to which God called him into His vineyard.
Despite all of the challenges we have faced or may face, we are encouraged to be faithful and committed in the faith, hold firmly to the true words of assurance and instructions we have received from our Lord and Master. We must always focus on the mark of our high calling (2 Tim 1:9) in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our labor in the Lord will never go in vain (1 Cor.15:58) because He who called and set us aside for His divine purpose, assures us that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb.13:5); and above all He knows us by name and we are His! God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1C0r.1:9)
Let us like Paul have the assurance in our hearts: “…for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (2 Tim 1:12)
Prayer:
LORD Almighty, help me to submit to Your will and the purpose for which You have set me apart. In Jesus name, Amen.