Struggling
with what God has called you to do? Sometimes we find ourselves asking, “why
did I start this in the first place?” That’s really not a bad question by the
way, because our “why” is an excellent resource to help us keep going. If we
can’t answer “why,” then perhaps we need a better “why.”
Paul
tells us why he continued in ministry, even in the face of opposition. “And it is
God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has
also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
[2Co 1:21-22 ESV].
Paul’s
“why” is rooted in Jesus, the God-given foundation of ministry, “it is
God who establishes us with you in Christ.” This is the second time
Paul fell back on his “why.” The first time was recorded in his first letter
when he reminded his opponents of their position in Christ as “confirmed,
blameless in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful through whom you
were called into one fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
(1 Cor 1:8-9). God in Christ Jesus is the faithful founder of our fellowship:
not music, food, physical address, but His Son, Jesus Christ our LORD!
Paul goes
further, stating that “it is God who . . . anointed us.” When God
sets us apart by the Spirit of Truth our stability is found in Jesus, not in
the circumstance. Circumstance challenges our “why.” Paul explains here that
God gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge, a truth repeated from the
first letter--and he will bring it up yet again, so here is a vital doctrine we
should not miss.
Corinth
was a trading crossroads, so Paul borrows the language of a good businessman to
make his point: by “seal” Paul underscores the authenticity, validity of that
which is marked. An example of this is found at Jesus’ baptism when we hear the
voice of approval from heaven; the Spirit descended like a dove and the set
apart for service to God. What the Father did for the Son, so He does for Paul.
[1:21-22] “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us
is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.” God
authenticates Paul to the world and the Corinthians by filling him with His
Spirit and setting him apart for service to the Gentiles.
Here’s
what this means for us: what the Father did for the Son and Paul, He does for
us: authentic Christianity is God-authenticated, making us His beloved
children. We respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and repent, The
Spirit makes us alive in Christ, fills us to “be” followers of Christ. He in
turn sets apart from the world for the purpose of serving Him in the world.
Now,
there are conditions to the sealing, authentication:
- Jesus
did the will of His Father, which was obedience to death [Hbr 12:2] “who
for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
- Paul
not only met our resurrected Lord, but had to die to self by faith in
Christ. God could not authenticate Him until he died by faith and was made
alive by faith in Christ.
- God
gives His seal of approval when we die to our sins in Christ. Only then
can we be useful to Him.
The
Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. He was filled with the Spirit and
returned to Galilee with power. Acts 9 records Paul receiving both his sight
and the Holy Spirit. Test of the strength of your "why":
- Have you received the Holy Spirit, the seal of God’s
authentic work in your life?
- Do you bear the marks of his promises, stamped
with Jesus’ image?
- Have you experienced His grace?
- Do you hear His voice?
- Does
your spirit witness with His Spirit that you are God’s child?
- Can anyone look
at you and see His name? How do you bear it to the world?
