KNOWN, SET APART, CALLED AND APPOINTED BY GRACE
KNOWN, SET APART, CALLED AND APPOINTED BY GRACE
But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;—Galatians 1:15-16
Our Lord said of Paul that “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Now who would have thought that this previously violent hater of Christians would be our Lord’s chosen instrument to be an apostle and preacher? I wonder who there may be in our lives that are also His “chosen instruments” but have yet to respond to the gospel?
Paul understood that even before he was born our Lord has set him apart. Then, in God’s timing, He called him by His grace. Our Lord was revealed to Paul that he “might preach him among the Gentiles.” This is God’s doing. It was not Paul’s doing. Paul did not set himself apart, nor did he call himself. God did all this!
This is the overall teaching of God’s Word. The Lord said of Jeremiah that “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). The Lord “knew” Jeremiah before he was even formed in the womb! Before Jeremiah was even born our Lord had “set him apart!” He “appointed” Jeremiah a specific work!
So to it is true of you and me. Our Lord has set us apart before we were born— He knew us before we were formed in the womb. Before we were even born He set us apart. Then He called us by His grace. He appointed us to serve Him. Our Lord was revealed to us for specific service (Ephesians 2:10). So, are you and I being faithful in our being set apart, in our grace calling, in our appointment, in our service to our King? May it be so!
Dear Father may I be faithful to what it is You have for me for the rest of my life. Oh, that I would be sensitive to Your guidance and do Your will. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gklJ2XZwDHc