Tag: Called to a Holy Calling - 2 Timothy 1-2

2 Timothy 1:9-10

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, and 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,

Tag:  Called to a Holy Calling

Paul is writing a letter to young, preacher Timothy.  He has just told Timothy to “share in suffering” with him.   Paul was quite familiar with suffering for Christ and, at the beginning of chapter two, will continue this same thought.   In the above verses, however, he gives Timothy the knowledge he needs to be able to suffer for Christ.  In plain language he simply states, “Timothy, you can share in suffering and know that you will overcome it, because God “called” us to a special “calling” based upon His divine purpose AND that divine purpose conquered death and gave us immortality through the Gospel message!!”    The fact that God “called” us is not a new message from Paul.  Note the following:

Romans 8:30

And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

1 Corinthians 1:9

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 1:15

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,

1 Thessalonians 2:12

we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

The “ calling” we have, however, is not a static and/or stationary calling.  It is an active calling.  We are called to “holiness.”    That calling was based upon His divine purpose.  Because it was His purpose, We can deal with whatever we have happening in our lives because it is according to God’s purpose.   That is the assurance that Timothy has.  God has already saved us from death and given us immortality.  So, the worst fear of death, HAS BEEN DEFEATED!  If the worse thing that can happen to us is death and that has been defeated, we have nothing more to fear!!.