Bible Reading Blog
“Appointed to His Service”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Ephesians 3
“For this reason, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles…” (Ephesians 3.1)
Paul felt an obligation and compulsion to teach the Gentiles because that’s what God had revealed to him. This is a pattern he wants believers to latch onto. When God reveals, we should move. To emphasize the personal nature of this pattern, Paul digresses briefly into self-evaluation (Ephesians 3.7-8). “I am the least of all the saints” – he considers how worthless and unworthy he really should have been considered – but he doesn’t stay there long.
We would do well to consider his attitude because it’s easy to beat ourselves up sometimes. Especially if we see ourselves clearly as Ephesians 2.1-3 expects us to, we can be overwhelmed by our own insufficiency and deficiency. But Paul never wallows in his weakness. The closest he gets to that is in 2 Corinthians 12 when he is pleading with the Lord about his thorn in the flesh. But even then, he comes out of it quickly – why? Because when he is weak, then God is strong.
Like Paul, we each have a ministry that we must fulfill because of the gospel. And like Paul, there will always be challenges. People will oppose or reject us. We may doubt that we are capable of telling others about Jesus. But God is not concerned with what we think we can or cannot do. He uses the best and worst of circumstances to work his will. He knows we are weak at times and will fail. He knows we fight the same battles every day for days, weeks and maybe even years. He knows how Satan attacks us and makes us feel worthless.
But to God we are not hopeless or worthless. Nothing is beyond his control. He takes dead people and makes us alive to demonstrate this point. So, when you feel broken, messed up, or not good enough, remember that nothing is too difficult for God. This attitude will not only encourage your heart but place your trust where it belongs: On God, who promises life and hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (2 Corinthians 1.9-10).
We have much work to do in the service of Jesus, and we must not allow our weaknesses to overpower us. Instead, let us trust in his guidance (Psalm 119.105). His power is a stronghold in the day of distress (Nahum 1.7). His promises are an emphatic reminder of his faithfulness (Hebrews 13.5). Let us not concern ourselves with what we cannot do. Instead let us see the opportunity God has presented us to serve others and let us do the work to which we have been called.
"I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy..." (1 Timothy 1.12-13a)
