2Tim 1 v1 -
... An apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God ...
Paul never expressed himself as THE Apostle, The Authority above all other mouthpiece of God. He needs not to.
Paul never give face to others because they like to have face; and do not entertain demolition. Paul aimed to obey Christ, to please God, to live out his commission.
Paul does not exalt his own will.
In the beginning of this letter of instruction to Timothy for ruling/taking care of Christian assemblies, Paul wrote that he is what he is by the WILL OF GOD.
Not by SELF, the BIG self; and not by SELF-WILL, and SELF-DETERMINATION!
This is part of discipleship. This is part of obedience, and understanding the Will of God which can only be good and for our GOOD.
God never tells us that there is anything good apart from Him. Doing things in any other way just cannot be Godly, cannot be Good, cannot be commendable. He is the in all and end all.
In this line, Paul expressed absolute deprivity of mankind. He is what he is by the Will of God. Not by self-determination. Not by self-will.
In this line, Paul expressed pre-destination. He is brought to where he is. He did not choose his office in order to act upon it. His deeds is only good and acknowledged by the elect because it is by the will of God.
In this line, Paul expressed irresistible Grace. The plan and will of the Almighty that comes to pass at the appointed time.
2Tim1v9 also expresses this theme, that He saved us, and called us... Not we; not us. But He who did this and that.
If there is any good in our service today, any good we find in our position today, it could only be that God has planned/willed such good in our life, in our passing through this living, in our experience, in our decision.
Even our very own decision is within His will.
If there is any arrogance, any feeling for self-will, we are to bring them to submission to His Good and glorious plan.
Your(His) Will be done, on Earth [here] as it is in Heaven.
Do we long for that? Rejoice in that?
Do we pray for that? Ask of that?
Do we subject ourselves to that? Regard Him as our Master (Lord)?
This is what Christ taught; do we accept that and obey? Do we trust and hope in Him?
His will is already ruling Heaven.
Do we really want to get there and be ruled over by His will? Do we want to subject ourselves to His will right here and prepare our selves a living sacrifice to His Glory? Do we want to hold back anything?
Dear brethren, do you count everything lost except Christ and His salvation? His crucifixion/sacrifice?
The beginning of Christian service, Pastoral service, powerful witness and glorious living is our own subjection to God/Christ. Never is it about getting to Seminaries, gaining revered PhDs degrees. Never is it about acceptance by others.
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel. Are you?
I am not above the Gospel/the Law of God. Are you?
I am content with my position no matter how lowly it is. Are you?
I come to serve in whatever ways edifying others, may it be chair arrangement, being mocked at, shut out of, dis-regarded, even killed all day long... who knows God will not cause all things to work for the good?
We have faith in Him who works in mysterious ways.
...according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus.
God's will is in accordance to the promise of life. It is life. In tune with life.
There is no life in any other way.
We are not in the dark if we study and rely upon His precious promises. We will not be amissed.
In Him we are more than conquerors. In Him we have life; abundant life. In life we have strength and satisfaction.
In life we have understanding. For the dead cannot do or will anything. The dead is not in control.
...
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