A Holy Calling

(St. Paul's Chains at San Paulo fuori le Mura in Rome, Italy)

8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. (2 Timothy 1:8-14)

I am not going to say much, because I want the richness of these words to sink in. Few things are as great as when Scripture makes us silent – that we see Christ more fully in these words than if he were with us in the flesh.

I do want to briefly focus on verse 9: [God], who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began

First, it should be our comfort that our calling is holy, or set apart by God.

Second, our calling is because of his own purpose and grace – he has a definite plan to use us in our individual callings, but more specifically in our collective calling as stewards of the gospel.

Lastly, it should comfort us that his plan for us will not be thwarted by time, because he gave us this calling before the ages began.

He has manifested his power by the appearing of Christ Jesus, as verse 10 says, and he will also be faithful in manifesting his grace through our holy calling. Let us take comfort in this truth as we live that calling today.