Sure Of

DEVOTION
2 TIMOTHY

SURE OF


2 Tim 1:11-12
11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
NIV

Is there that much difference between being a herald and an apostle and a teacher? If I am a herald or a proclaimer of the divine truth and an ambassador of the Gospel and a teacher of the Word, am I not all the same thing? How can anyone separate any of those? Are not all believers supposed to fulfill these qualities? Has not God called all believers to be this? I think that is the way it should be. Although I also believe we are all different parts of the body of Christ and so maybe, I am just one of a few numbers within the body who feels this call. True, I am not a pastor or work for a salary in some leadership role, but then neither did Paul. He paid his own way, worked so not to be a burden on those he ministered to. I wonder where and when the church got away following the Gospel. I believe I can be God’s herald without being paid as an employee of the church, or have the church appoint me because I paid enough money at some school of theirs. I believe I can be an apostle, a messenger of the Gospel sent by God, instead of holding some paper of authority by some church. I believe I can be a teacher of divine truth without having the instruction of men, but rather by the leading of the Holy Spirit. God calls and he provides all the empowering to fulfill his calling. Do I stand alone in this belief? Maybe, and I think at times I catch a little flax because of it. Too many believers have fallen into the trap of trusting the acceptance of men, rather than God. I have been told, if I want men to accept what I say, I need to have their value of education and degrees. I say, God has a better plan. God did not establish schools, men did. God did not establish anything but his calling, his empowering, his leadership. I am not ashamed of being known as a rebel against the ways of men in regard to God’s ways. I know what I believe, and I know whom I believe in and I too am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day as well as what he has entrusted in me for this day. I will proclaim his plan, I will speak up for him in the land, and I will teach what he has taught me. Maybe my voice is not loud, but I will do what God has called me to do, and he will have me heard where and when he wants. This I am sure of.