“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.”
separated to the gospel of God
Now we come to Paul’s third description of himself. God set Paul apart unto the gospel. The Greek tense indicates the continuing effects of being set aside to the gospel (perfect tense). God established a destiny or ordination for Paul. The gospel is the “good news” God affords to those without Christ. It is the news that we have liberty toward God; Christ paid for our sin personally on the cross.
Ga 1:15, But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace,
The word “separated” means set apart. God singled out Paul for a particular service. God, in His omniscience, knew that Paul would respond positively to the mission set before him. Paul was a man of focus—”this one thing I do” (Phil 3:13). God drew a clear line around Paul’s life purpose: to preach the gospel.
The term “gospel” means good news. Romans uses the word “gospel” 60 times in this epistle. This is God’s good news in this context. It is also the gospel “of God.” God is the source of our salvation. Paul did not concoct the gospel. This is the good news: Jesus died for our sins, and because of it, we have the right to fellowship with God forever.
PRINCIPLE:
Focusing on ministry is essential to advance the cause of Christ.
APPLICATION:
Christians do not claim exclusive rights to our lives because we have been bought with the price of the blood of Christ. If we focus on our rights, we would not advance the cause of Christ as we could. With the attitude of a servant of Christ, we press on with determination to move forward the claims of Christ.
A Christian who is separated to the gospel isolates himself from all other ruling aims. He lives apart from any other goal. He draws all his resources together toward this one end.
