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PAUL: His Call and Commitment
By Henry Jaegers
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Galatians 1: 1-5)
When we consider this letter to the churches at Galatia, we must realize that Paul is embarking into a very dangerous situation that, apart from God's guidance and protection, his life could be at risk. The problem at Galatia is more than a mere misunderstanding of simple gospel truths. It is a willful departure that has happened to them because men whom they trusted, cause them to bring into question the ministry of Paul the apostle.
As we have mentioned in the previous study, the first two chapters of this book, deal with Paul's credentials. First is the credential surrounding his call by God and second, his credentials given in the form of a personal testimony, (how God's hand has been on him in the past, qualifying him to do the work of God).
So, to begin, Paul speaks of his call to be an apostle and this call was not something that he thought beforehand would be a good way to spend his life. Do you remember the time when God called Ananias to go and visit Paul after Paul had his encounter with God on the Damascus Road? He said something to Ananias that was very significant. He told Ananias, concerning Paul, "I am about to show him the things that he must suffer for my sake".
(Acts 9: 15,16)
What is this thing we mean when we claim that we are "called to preach"? Do you realize, that not one time in any of his epistles, did Paul ever claimed that he was "called to preach!" Think about it; God never tells us what he is going to do in and through our lives when we respond to his call. "Called to be an apostle", there is no doubt that Paul's authority was from God. His call was from God to be a servant to others; not to gratify or find fulfillment in selfish pursuits. Consider this: What with the New Testament be without the writings of Paul the apostle? How much of the Bible and the gospel would we understand without Paul's clear explanations and his understanding of the teachings of the law in the Old Testament? The evidence of Paul's call is the product that came forth from a faithful life.
The call of God must always have a direct purpose and end. The reason for Paul's giving attention to his apostleship is because his faithfulness to God is being brought into question and being scrutinized by those unworthy to do so. They are holding him in suspicion because they have laid hold of the teaching, contrary to the teachings given by God through Paul. He is not defending himself; he is seeking to redeem those who have been taken captive by false teachings.
When God calls us, his call to all of us is to be faithful. I recall the words of Jesus to his disciples when he said to them "many are called but few are chosen". (Matthew 20:16) In recalling the context of that verse, observe that the master sought many to go and work in his field but only those who chose to do the work received the reward. So is the case of whom God chooses. He carefully selected those apostles because he knew by their response that they would be faithful to carry forth his word. I believe this is true especially in the area of those whom he has called to be His apostles. It was through his apostles that the “Apostle’s Teachings” went forth and in the book of Acts on the day of Pentecost, we are told one of the results was that they held to the “Apostles doctrine”. The work of the apostles formed the foundational teachings of what Jesus taught by those who were closest to him.
Do not take lightly the call of God to your life. You don't have to be called of God to preach. But you are called by God and expected by God to live a life of faithfulness and through that faithfulness, God will do his marvelous work.
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