This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God…
1 Corinthians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…
2 Corinthians 2:1
Paul, an apostle – sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father , who raised him from the dead –
Galatians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…
Colossians 1:1
Paul, as apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope…
1 Timothy 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…
2 Timothy 1:1
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness…
Titus 1:1
A servant, an apostle, by the will of God…Paul’s introduction. In all these letters to the Churches he starts with his name – Paul; his reason for being – apostle, servant; his appointment — by the will of God. Paul was who he was, doing what he was doing, by the will of God. Think about that for a minute. Are we who we are, doing what we’re doing, by the will of God? Paul was divinely appointed, by the will of God. Every child of God, that’s you and me, has a divine appointment. Are we fulfilling our divine appointment? Yes, I’m sure you have a divine appointment. God’s chosen people always do, you know.
What does that look like in my life, in your life? What is our name; our reason for being; our divine appointment?
So, anyway, back to the will of God. What is the will of God?
I urge you, first of all to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God’s mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4
For all men to be saved. Short and sweet. Not all complicated like we make it. Unfortunately, not all will be saved. Why? Because we’re not perfect? Because we don’t know the secret handshake? Because we haven’t checked all the boxes? Because we haven’t followed all the rules? No!!! Because we have rejected God. Our sin is the rejection of God. But, Jesus Christ took care of our sin. His blood has made us perfect. Hallelujah! What a Savior! But if we reject God and fail to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are told very plainly what the consequence are…
Think how much more terrible the punishment will be
for those who have trampled on the Son of God and have treated the blood of his covenant
as if it were common and unholy.
Such people have insulted and enraged the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to his people.
For we know the one who said.
“I will take vengeance.
I will repay those who deserve it.”
He also said,
“The Lord will judge his own people.”
It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:29-31
Yikes!!! God so much wants for all to be saved that he is a long-suffering God.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
Longsuffering – long, patient endurance. He has waited for us despite our challenging Him, despite our lack of cooperation, despite our lack of acceptance, despite our outright rejection. He has endured all of that so that the “all” should come to repentance. Not just a few selected ones, or a few goody goody ones, or the nice ones, or the ones who get it right (not I!). His will is that all come to Him, so He’s waiting…
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:15
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18
And He has supplied a means for us to come to Him. You see, it’s not something we can do, it’s something He has done!
For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:39
It is His will that everyone who looks to the Son shall be saved! And what’s the Good News?
I have not lost one of those you gave me.
John 18:9
That’s the Good News! Not one! True believes, those who have made a sincere commitment to Christ cannot be lost. Not a single one. John tells us. Paul tells us. Peter tells us. Jesus tells us! That’s the will of God! That none be lost.
So, back to the divine appointment…what is our divine appointment?
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing then in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:29-30