… and called me by his grace,
Summary: Sometimes, a thought experiment can help us understand what the Bible is saying. This passage inspires us to consider what it means to be “called” by God.
Let’s consider Paul’s situation in a different light.
Normally, we look at Paul for what he is; a spiritual giant in the Christian faith. But Paul was also a spiritual monster of sorts before his conversion. So how does this work?
Paul begins this verse with these words:
“But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace …” (Galatians 1:15)
As discussed in our last meditation, Jesus tells us there are two kinds of people on earth. There are the “people of the kingdom,” and “people of the evil one” (Matthew 13: 37-39).
Paul tells us that he was “set apart” from birth by God. He counts himself a member of God’s kingdom even before he met Jesus. Then he adds that God “called [him] by his grace.”
In Paul’s case, being “called” meant being confronted by Jesus personally (Acts 9: 1-19). But what if things had been different? What if Jesus had sent someone like you or me to bring the news to Paul that he was being called to serve Jesus?
My guess is that things would have not gone well. It seems likely that if a believer had confronted Paul, then he might have “shot the messenger.” Would Paul have still been a person “of the kingdom” if things had gone sideways?
I pose this question because not everyone gets a call like Paul’s. I hear stories of Jesus appearing to people in dreams and visions, but does the average Christian experience this type of call? What would have changed if Paul’s calling had been different or if he had been less responsive to God’s call?
Obviously, he would not have been as effective as a leader of God’s church. The Holy Spirit would have called other people to write the words for the New Testament (Esther 4:12-14). Meanwhile, Paul would have struggled with his own personal demons as he tried to figure out what God wanted him to do.
Of course, that is not what happened. The point is that struggling to understand God’s calling is not a sign of trouble. It is just the opposite. It is a sign we are called by God. And if called by God, are we not “people of the kingdom?”
As people of the world, we are prone to worry about many things. However, as people of the kingdom, we should be at peace, knowing that God can save us (Romans 14: 4, John 10:14-15, 27).
Application: Trust Jesus. Be at peace.
Food for Thought: How does trusting Jesus with our eternity impact our work for the kingdom of God?
I think it frees us to serve God out of sincere hearts. In 1 Corinthians 15: 58, we see the response to realizing that we have an eternal inheritance and that death does not have the final say. After proclaiming victory over death and sin through Christ, Paul wrote: 1 Corinthians 15: 58: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Realizing our spiritual inheritance and trusting Christ with our needs, frees us up to seek the Lord and His kingdom. Matthew 6: 28 – 34: “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Thank you, Rich.
I agree! There is a sense of freedom in the concept of being “called from the womb.” I don’t fully understand how all this works, but I am confident that God knows, and that is enough.
I think my answer correlates with Rich’s comment, we don’t have to try and make ourselves worthy to serve God, we just have to serve in obedience. Along with that, we don’t have to “brainstorm” ways to serve, if we walk in the Spirit, He will put on our hearts His will through His Word and when we pray to Him in sincerity.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Thanks Chris!
If it is true we can focus on only one thing at a time, then focusing on obedience to God’s will is the better choice!
01-02-2024, How does trusting Jesus with our eternity impact our work for the kingdom of God?
John 16:8, And He, when He comes, will convict the world about sin, and about righteousness, and about judgment.
Matthew 22:14, For many are called, but few are chosen.
In His Foreknowledge, God knew/knows the names of the few, those who will choose to respond, and the many who will choose to reject His calling by the Holy Spirit. He also knows every word we will speak every action we will commit during our short time on earth.
Romans 8:29, For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
Romans 8:10, But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is life because of righteousness.
Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
In the power of the Holy Spirit believers become dead to the power of our flesh, and alive to Christ in us. We spend the rest of our lives on earth in the power of God who transforms each into beings who choose to submit to His will over our own in al things.
Ron,
Great selection of verses! Thank you!
It is a mind-bending concept to think about the foreknowledge of God. At the same time, there is a great deal of peace associated with trusting the Father’s judgment.
Yes Indeed.
Ron