A Holy Calling

“Therefore, you should not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner. But be partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the eternal times.” (2Timothy 1:8-9)

Paul wrote to Timothy whom he had appointed over the church of Ephesus. Paul has been imprisoned for his testimony of Jesus. To understand his crime, one has to understand that in those days the Roman emperor was considered divine and a god. To proclaim one’s allegiance to another god would have been idolatry for Paul. This was the dilemma of the Christians at that time and why they were persecuted.

In his letter to Timothy, Paul begins this Scripture with the word “therefore.” It indicates a response to a declaration. In this case it’s a response to Paul’s assertion about the spirit that we have received from God. “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2Timothy 1:7) The spirit that we have received has the power to enable us with what we need for any situation. It’s a spirit of boldness and righteousness. Paul gives the reason for the honor he feels about the afflictions he received for the Gospel’s sake in verses 8 and 9.  God “... has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the eternal times.” “Therefore,” we should not be ashamed of the Gospel in the face of criticism, scorn, ridicule and even persecution. There is also the terrible consequence for denying Jesus. Jesus said, “Therefore whoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man shall also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26)

We all have a testimony. It’s the power God demonstrated in removing us from the kingdom of darkness and placing us in the kingdom of His dear Son. “For He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son;” (Colossians 1:13). It’s that miracle God worked through the Holy Spirit to give us a new spirit which is born of God with God’s nature, goodness and love. “The one who does not love has not known God. For God is love.” (1John 4:8) The shame is in who we were before we surrendered to Christ. But in giving our testimony, all the dark and ugly details do not have to be told. What has to be told are the consequences of that miserable life and the rewards we rejoice over in our new life with Christ.

In persecution, one will give the ultimate proof of love, devotion and trust in the Lord. The founding fathers of Christianity have. All the apostles were martyred except John who was exiled to the island of Patmos and lived until he died a natural death. And since then, I would venture to say millions have been martyred for the Name of Jesus. And even in this decade our brothers and sisters are being persecuted and martyred. Paul encourages Timothy to be a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel. Peter explained the spiritual dimension of what happens when we are afflicted for the sake of the Gospel. “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of God and of glory rests on you. Truly according to them, He is blasphemed, but according to you He is glorified.” (1Peter 4:14) They blaspheme Jesus, but we glorify Him. So, if you’re hesitant in testifying Jesus, remember that you will glorify Him.

Paul wrote to Timothy that our calling is holy and not something we do on our own. This statement has many aspects. First, it’s God who calls us into fellowship with Him. The calling does not come from us. Then there’s the question, does God call some and not others? What if we want to be called and don’t get called? This would be a question a nonbeliever might ask, perhaps questioning why he hasn’t been called or justifying why he doesn’t believe. To understand this better, even in our sinful state as enemies of God, He showed His goodness and love in providing the ransom for us through Jesus.

What determines our calling? The calling is holy and divine. It is for everyone and anyone. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) But it’s for those who believe. When we hear of His goodness and mercy what is the reaction of our heart. Do we react with awe and wonder that God is so good that He will forgive us because of Jesus? Or do we react with questions, as in “Is God really that good?” I believe these two reactions are acceptable to God. It’s natural that such good news is pondered about. Both reactions recognize God as the giver of the calling. But when we hear the Good News and immediately dismiss it as ridiculous, untrue of a great God, a disbelief in God Almighty or with hatred, that is another thing altogether. And that will determine whether we continue with our calling. God calls everyone, but not everyone answers the call.

And what is the calling? It’s a life surrendered to God through Jesus. And this is a process as we have learned in other lessons. The thing is that when we do surrender, God in His mercy reveals those things that need to change, one by one. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, He deals with it to remove it from us when we confess it and repent (turn away from it). If there is a lingering sin, full repentance and renouncement of that sin is necessary. That lingering sin is evidence that we have not repented of it. So, we need to take care not to allow it to get a foothold and become a stronghold in our life.

Paul writes that this calling is holy and for God’s purposes. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in you, whom you have of God? And you are not your own, for you are bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1Corinthians 6:19-20) And there you have it. Two things to remember when you’re tempted to do what you want, you were bought with a price, and you don’t belong to yourself. We were bought to do God’s will here on earth. What does God want you to do? How are you fulfilling that purpose?

Concluding, we learn that we are called by, to and for God, for His will and for His purpose. And no matter the afflictions, they come as a result of obeying God. But we should not be ashamed of it because it glorifies God.

Let us pray:

Father God, I love You. I receive Your calling and surrender completely to You, to Your will and to Your purpose for me. Show me and guide me daily because of my weak and faulty memory. I thank You for the Holy Spirit Who indwells and strengthens me with enabling to do all You have called me to do. With me it is impossible to fulfill my calling. But nothing is impossible with You. Help me to be worthy to be called a child of the Almighty God. Let my thoughts, speech and actions be worthy of a child of God. Let shame be over the works of darkness. But let the works of righteousness bring You glory. I thank You my Lord. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.