… by the will of God,
Summary: It is one thing to claim to be an apostle; it is another to actually be one. Paul was the real deal.
In our last meditation, we examined what it means to be an apostle. In this one, we look at what makes Paul’s apostleship special.
Paul begins his letter to the Colossians by introducing himself as “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” To be an apostle is to be sent by the king to promote the kingdom.
As a side note, the kingdom of God consists of all that belongs to God. For example, in ancient times, a king’s territory was whatever the king could conquer. The wars described in the Old Testament paint a picture of a world that was constantly changing. One man’s kingdom today might be someone else’s kingdom tomorrow.
When it comes to God’s kingdom, there is no question of borders. Psalm 24:1 reminds us that “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.“
When God’s apostles go out into the world, it is not to conquer, but to teach the people about their king.
If I were to come to you and claim to be “sent by God,” you might rightly ask for proof. Why should anyone believe my claim?
The “proof” as they used to say, is “in the pudding.” It means that proof of a person’s apostleship is in their credentials. Paul’s credentials were unique. He was known for his training as a Pharisee and his excellent scholarship. He was also well known for his original conviction that all Christians should be thrown in prison or killed. It was his passion for eradicating Christians that set the scene for his most impressive credential. He was completely transformed into a different person by his encounter with the living God (Acts 9: 1-19). God affirmed this encounter by working miracles through Paul (Acts 19:11-12).
Perhaps the most powerful credential Paul carried was the change that people saw in him as a person. The stories of Paul’s conversion describe a man who was violent and brutal becoming a man who was loving and compassionate. Paul was also faithful to his mission and his God. From the day he encountered the living Jesus until the day he died, he did not waver.
Rather than risk any betrayal of his Lord, Paul suffered all kinds of attacks, both verbal and physical. When a man gives his life to a cause like Paul gave his life to Jesus, people take notice. When God affirms what that man says with supporting miracles and power, people listen.
Application: Listen to Paul!
Food for Thought: How do people know when we are acting by the will of God?
I think to know if another is acting in the Will of God, one would need to understand the Will of God themselves.
So I think this question then becomes a two part question:
How do other believers know if we are acting by the Will of God?
How do non-believers know if we are acting by the Will of God?
Other believers are are accepting of God’s Word and are open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They have been given the ability, at some level, to discern the Will of God. Christ lives within them, so they can recognize both within themselves and in the lives of others if we measure up to the standard of a Christ-centered life set in love, devotion, and serving God. And always, when in doubt, call on the Holy spirit for guidance.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
For a non-believer to know when we are acting by the will of God is a different dynamic. Many do not recognize God at all. Many are hostile toward God, believing that He either does not exist, does not care, or is Himself imperfect. They tend to look at God through the eyes of man, instead of man through the eyes of God. They hold to logic as a means to decide the truth. So how can we them that there is truth beyond what seems logical?
In Luke 6:27-36 Jesus speaks about loving our enemies. Doing good to those who hate us. Showing mercy as God shows mercy. Words that He lived up to all the way to death. This type of love doesn’t just come because we decide it, it comes from a genuine desire to serve God, by making Christ Lord of our life, believing His Words, and living up to them. We then have the ability to receive His love and then give it to others. In doing so we being to show the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). In living in the Spirit, and in showing the fruit of the Spirit to our enemies, we are able to show what the seemingly illogical yet perfect Will of God is.
Matthew 7:21 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Thank you, Chris!
I liked the way you divided this into a “two part” question. Well said!
I agree with what CH has stated here. The fruit of the tree tells us what kind of tree it is. Are we living in conformity to God’s revealed word? Are we demonstrating love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control? Do we share the gospel? Do we live it? Do we confess and repent of our sin? Are we seeking to please God rather than people?
The fruit doesn’t lie.
Matthew 7: 15 – 20: Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20So then, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Thank you, Rich!
It is so important, as you point out, to not only recognize good fruit but to be able to bear good fruit ourselves.
How do people know when we are acting by the will of God?
We each live according to the choices we make regarding, the standards of righteousness given to us by God. We determine “our right and wrong,” which is “to what degree do we choose to obediently receive the commands from God.” Obey all or do we pick and choose.
God gave Adam only one prohibition. They could not eat of only of “The tree of knowledge of good and evil. “ It was a test of Adam and Eve’s obedience to God. Genesis 2:9, 17; 3:22.”
The words and actions of believers should separate them from the disobedient, to the obedient. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, which resulted in their separation from God and the tree of life.
God’s word clearly reveals the results of our acceptance or rejections of His instructions today,
John 16:8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment:
9 about sin [and the true nature of it], because they do not believe in Me [and My message];
10 about righteousness [personal integrity and godly character], because I am going to My Father and you will no longer see Me;
11 about judgment [the certainty of it], because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged and condemned.
AND
13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth].
For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future].
14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you.
15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.
John 16:8-15, The Holy Spirit has convicted this entire world of Sin, Righteousness, Judgement to come.
Jesus tells us, The Holy Spirit will come and will reveal truth to all people. He has come, He remains here, and mankind has no excuse! We all make our choice in the full knowledge of the revelation/conviction by the Holy Spirit.
John 16:13-15, In obedience to God the Father, The Holy Spirit will guide all into full complete truth, as disclosed by God. He will disclose all Honor and Glory of Jesus to all mankind.
All the Father has belongs to Jesus and is revealed by the Holy Spirit.
This really tells me, we do not determine right and wrong, truth and lie by human reasoning, but it is the conviction of the Holy Spirit conveying Gods message at an increasing volume and clarity to the spirits of all mankind. He communicates to the level we must choose to receive Gods TRUTH in faith, on the overcoming the human denial by force. God knows when to stop, allowing all to choose and none to be forced.,
Ron,
You make a very important point: We do not determine right from wrong. God does.
People who act according to God’s values stand apart from those who don’t.
Thank you!
Thank You Sir!