Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 11 Tim 1:8-13
While I was writing this question, I had a memory of an incident in Sunday School, go with me: A question was asked by the teacher and a response was given in the form of a question back to the teacher and the question was then repeated back by the teacher and again, the question was restated by the person with an "I'm asking you the question." Okay, it really was a "you had to be there moment." As hilarious as it was at that moment, it made me think. Perhaps people really don't understand, grasp, or take the time to delve into Word as to why we are here or our purpose while here. The scripture tells us with all thy getting, get understanding (Proverbs 4:7).
So, what about the Kingdom, you might ask? I’d have to say – it's all about the Kingdom of God and certainly not about us! It’s an eye opener when we stop to think about what’s going on in our lives and come to a realization that it really is not about us. We go on about our way with our own personal agendas, plans, schedules, list of to-dos, and itineraries daily without sometimes thinking on the things of God, His purpose for our life or that we should be consulting Him about what He has for us to do as we start each day. And then there is our complacentness in our actions and our thinking. We church on Sunday, just enough to get by – not seen oftentimes in Bible study, and although we might show up even for Sunday school, it’s apparent that studying to show thyself approved unto God and not man has not taken place by the questions asked or the answers given or even in our silence (2 Tim 3:14-15). We have to know, as well as understand why we are here and that we have purpose and come to the realization that we are not just here taking up space on the earth; like everything else, God created us for a specific purpose because we have been predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Eph 1:3-14).
This message, so eloquently written by Paul, is exhorting Timothy to improve in his spiritual gifts and walk in what he had been taught. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Be diligent in the work that you've been called to do; giving over our total self, mind, body and soul to the work of the Lord. The same messge comes to us today. What we deem or consider important according to the work of the Lord is not important if it does not line up with the Word or what God has purposed. We find ourselves busy in the church but not really doing the work of the Lord by which we’ve been called. Yes, it is all about the Kingdom and not about us or what we consider works of righteousness. In Titus 3, it speaks of how we were once thoughtless and senseless, stubborn, disobedient, deceived, misguided, and misled. How we were slaves to all sorts of cravings and pleasures, wasting our time and our days in malice, jealousy, and envy; being hateful and hating one another, even though these things ought not to be in the church (I’m not going to touch that today, amen?). It also so tells us, BUT, when the goodness and lovingkindness of God, our Saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy and by the washing of regeneration (new birth according to 2 Cor 5:17), and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He so richly poured upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, oh, talk about the ministry of reconciliation!
The concept here is when we say yes to salvation, our own works have nothing to do with the persuading of God’s call for service. He didn’t choose us because of our works but according to His eternal and divine purpose. He has called us to work, to win souls to the Kingdom, bring those who are lost into the knowledge of eternal hope. Even in that work, we find ourselves walking worthy in that which we have been called to do. Let’s continue to hold fast to what has been assigned to our care as the servants of God, the called, standing in that which He has commended, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, with determination. Diligently and energetically seeking to do God’s will for the sake of those who need to know that there is hope in this present world and speaking thou the things which become sound doctrine, showing ourselves a pattern of good works and in doctrine. Knowing that we should deny all ungodliness and worldly lust by living soberly, holy, righteously, and godly; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Let’s purify, which means to refine, improve, polish, and cultivate ourselves unto God, as a peculiar people, passionate and fervent about good works for the sake of the Kingdom. Keeping in mind today and remembering from this day forth, that it is all about the Kingdom and not about us!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
While I was writing this question, I had a memory of an incident in Sunday School, go with me: A question was asked by the teacher and a response was given in the form of a question back to the teacher and the question was then repeated back by the teacher and again, the question was restated by the person with an "I'm asking you the question." Okay, it really was a "you had to be there moment." As hilarious as it was at that moment, it made me think. Perhaps people really don't understand, grasp, or take the time to delve into Word as to why we are here or our purpose while here. The scripture tells us with all thy getting, get understanding (Proverbs 4:7).
So, what about the Kingdom, you might ask? I’d have to say – it's all about the Kingdom of God and certainly not about us! It’s an eye opener when we stop to think about what’s going on in our lives and come to a realization that it really is not about us. We go on about our way with our own personal agendas, plans, schedules, list of to-dos, and itineraries daily without sometimes thinking on the things of God, His purpose for our life or that we should be consulting Him about what He has for us to do as we start each day. And then there is our complacentness in our actions and our thinking. We church on Sunday, just enough to get by – not seen oftentimes in Bible study, and although we might show up even for Sunday school, it’s apparent that studying to show thyself approved unto God and not man has not taken place by the questions asked or the answers given or even in our silence (2 Tim 3:14-15). We have to know, as well as understand why we are here and that we have purpose and come to the realization that we are not just here taking up space on the earth; like everything else, God created us for a specific purpose because we have been predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Eph 1:3-14).
This message, so eloquently written by Paul, is exhorting Timothy to improve in his spiritual gifts and walk in what he had been taught. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Be diligent in the work that you've been called to do; giving over our total self, mind, body and soul to the work of the Lord. The same messge comes to us today. What we deem or consider important according to the work of the Lord is not important if it does not line up with the Word or what God has purposed. We find ourselves busy in the church but not really doing the work of the Lord by which we’ve been called. Yes, it is all about the Kingdom and not about us or what we consider works of righteousness. In Titus 3, it speaks of how we were once thoughtless and senseless, stubborn, disobedient, deceived, misguided, and misled. How we were slaves to all sorts of cravings and pleasures, wasting our time and our days in malice, jealousy, and envy; being hateful and hating one another, even though these things ought not to be in the church (I’m not going to touch that today, amen?). It also so tells us, BUT, when the goodness and lovingkindness of God, our Saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy and by the washing of regeneration (new birth according to 2 Cor 5:17), and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He so richly poured upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, oh, talk about the ministry of reconciliation!
The concept here is when we say yes to salvation, our own works have nothing to do with the persuading of God’s call for service. He didn’t choose us because of our works but according to His eternal and divine purpose. He has called us to work, to win souls to the Kingdom, bring those who are lost into the knowledge of eternal hope. Even in that work, we find ourselves walking worthy in that which we have been called to do. Let’s continue to hold fast to what has been assigned to our care as the servants of God, the called, standing in that which He has commended, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, with determination. Diligently and energetically seeking to do God’s will for the sake of those who need to know that there is hope in this present world and speaking thou the things which become sound doctrine, showing ourselves a pattern of good works and in doctrine. Knowing that we should deny all ungodliness and worldly lust by living soberly, holy, righteously, and godly; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Let’s purify, which means to refine, improve, polish, and cultivate ourselves unto God, as a peculiar people, passionate and fervent about good works for the sake of the Kingdom. Keeping in mind today and remembering from this day forth, that it is all about the Kingdom and not about us!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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