Counted Faithful

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

Here is a question for you. Prior to Paul’s conversion, what qualified him for Christian service? Was it…

His persecution of Christians

His blasphemy

His violent aggression

(from 1st Timothy 1:13-15)

No, it wasn’t any of these things. Everything changed when he became a Christ follower, although he was just as fervent in his Christian life as he was when he opposed it. From the beginning of his life in Christ, he was faithful in all that God called him to do—large or small.

From his letters that make up most of the New Testament, it is clear that Paul knew he accomplished things for God because he was enabled by the power of God. He never tricked himself into believing it was his own abilities, intelligence, or personal ambition that brought about God’s will.

The same is true of Christ followers today. Nothing in your past qualifies you for service to God. It is your faithfulness. So keep on putting your full confidence in God. In so doing, you can rejoice, as Paul did, that you have been deemed faithful, and fit for His service.

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. (1 Timothy 1:12)