Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:1-2
Paul began this letter as he had many, simply stating: “I am Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ because of the will of God, according to His good pleasure.” Paul realized that God’s bestowing upon him this position as apostle was according to grace alone and by the will of God. Thirty years of devotion in teaching the gospel of Christ had not overwritten the truth. Paul knew beyond a shadow of doubt that none of it was by his own power or might. Every step of this journey of faith had been God’s grace being poured out upon him. Paul never forgot that he was smugly, proud fully heading in the opposite direction. Wrapped tight within religious cloaks he was headed to Damascus to gather up the Christians so that they could be imprisoned. He wanted to wipe out these heretics before their doctrine could spread.
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Acts 9:1-6
Paul was not in search of salvation that day as he walked down that road. He was not even indifferent. He was hell bent on destroying the church, that is; until God opened the eyes of His heart by blinding Him with the magnificence of His Glorious Son, Jesus Christ. No one else who surrounded Paul that day could see Jesus–all they saw was a bright light. No one else heard the words being said–although they did hear sounds like words.
Now, as Paul sat in this cold, damp dungeon from which he wrote this final letter; he begins
with I am Paul, an apostle, teacher, servant of Jesus Christ according to His will and by His good pleasure. Within that first greeting we see that Paul never forgot that it was God’s Grace which had saved him that day. It was God’s Grace that had sustained him. And it would be God’s Grace that would give him strength as he faced his execution; knowing that his eternity lay secure in Jesus Christ. He had not earned Grace, it was the unmerited favor of God’s will toward him. What about you and me? Do we remember that it is Grace which saved us? There is no sacrifice that I have ever made for Christ which is sufficient to merit anything! Every gift, every precious moment of joy in Him has been a gift of grace. When I remember this truth, I begin to see how great is that Grace which I have been given. It is as Paul wrote to the Ephesians during his previous imprisonment. God,
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1: 9-12
When we recognize these truths, then we can like Paul say.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death Philippians 3:8-10
[bctt tweet=”Funny part is, when all else fades into obscurity compared to Christ; therein, we find true joy” username=”effiedarlene”].
[tweetthis]So, the question is; Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior?[/tweetthis]
If not or if you do not know for certain, please write me or go to my page How to be saved.
photo used by permission https://unsplash.com/@kalenemsley
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.