So often today we hear of ones who proclaim that Christ is important, even indispensable to them. Yet, their actions do not demonstrate that commitment. Indeed, for many today, actions are trivial things, the reality of their "self" not being affected by them, or telling truth about them. Christ's words never rang more true than for those today who would seek to place a divide between character and conduct. One can do horrible things and still be spoken of as a "good person". Vile lifestyles and abhorrent behaviors can be common in a life, and yet, we somehow miss the connection between these things and the inner being that brought them forth. Admittedly, it is difficult and unpleasant to identify this line and especially to admit which side a given person is on. Yet, that is, perhaps one of the important things that sets men apart from one another.

For Paul, his office before God completely identified his entire being. He simply was nothing other than an Apostle of God. It took precedence over all else in his life. Everywhere in the NT that we see Paul speaking of himself, it is always laced with references to his execution of this office. In this, Paul paints for us a perfect portrait of what it is to serve the Lord.

Now it is certainly true that not all, by any means, are called to serve the Lord vocationally as a Pastor, Missionary, etc. Yet, in a very, very real sense, we are all full-time ministers of the Lord and most certainly are full-time sons and daughters of God. As with Paul, this identity should "eat up" all other aspects of our lives. We are permitted to retain nothing of our old selves, all old things must be allowed to "pass away" and the "new things" that have "come" must be allowed to shine forth as testimony to the power and mercy of God. Certainly this is difficult, as I am sure God knew when he commanded it. But it is essential for us to cultivate this kind of devotion.

There are practical reasons for this (apart from the idea that this is the least we can do for a God who paid such a price for our sin). The main one being the only way to be really used of God is be wholly and completely given over to Him. the degree to which we are used effectively is entirely dependent on the degree to which we are consecrated to our Lord. This is not to day that we 'earn" the use God makes of us, but rather, it is simple to say that God cannot use a dirty vessel (as the old saying goes). I would amend that saying to read God WILL not use a dirty vessel.

Ownership by Christ
Even the phrase "Apostle of Jesus Christ" speaks of Paul's understanding of the "ownership" of his life by Christ . Paul's chief identifier for himself is not his name, nor is it really his office per se. It is that he is an "Apostle of Jesus Christ" that made it significant. The world is full of people who profess to be sent from God or from some Divine Being or another. In this, the unredeemed are right to be skeptical of anyone who professes to speak for God. That is a heady thing. That is a brave and a profound declaration. It receives close scrutiny because it should indeed receive no less than that!