DOES GOD JUST SAVE US AND FORGET US?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, 
was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. 
(Galatians 2:8)

MEDITATION:
Although Galatians 2:8 is a fairly short verse, it speaks volumes.
The first thing we should recognize is Paul and Peter were both ‘apostles’.
Who exactly are apostles in our world today?
The word ‘apostle’ means believer, supporter, advocate, promoter, etc.
That means that everyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ is an apostle.

The next thing we notice is that God was ‘at work’ in both of these apostles.
That indicates that He is also ‘at work’ 
in those today who are followers of Christ.
God doesn’t save us to ‘sit around and do nothing’, 
He saves us so that we can fellowship with Him 
and contribute to His earthly ministry, as Paul and Peter did.

Each believer (apostle) becomes a member of God’s ministry ‘team’.
It sounds like work, and it is to a degree, 
but the blessings are well worth the efforts.
It should be encouraging for all believers to realize 
that God considers each one of us valuable enough to be used by Him, 
and to know that He is ‘at work’ in us.

The last thing we find in this verse 
is that God had specific tasks for Paul and Peter.
He also has specific tasks for all who believe in Him today.
We don’t know if Paul and Peter would have chosen God’s tasks for them, 
but we do know that they were diligent 
in allowing Him to be ‘at work’ in them.
We also do not detect any signs of jealousy between them 
regarding how God was ‘at work’ in each one.

We don’t see any kind of rationalization on their part to avoid following 
God’s path for them, we just see sincere and dedicated apostles who were 
willing to leave their comfort zones, or do whatever else was necessary 
to pursue God’s specific tasks for them.

ACTION:
How is God ‘at work’ in you?
Have you made the decision to do whatever it takes 
to follow His path for you?
Are you avoiding God’s specific tasks for you 
as a result of selfishness or rebellion?
God wants to bless you, and one of His ways of blessing you 
is to be ‘at work’ in your life, guiding and encouraging you 
as you do what He has called you to do.

Rather than running from your calling from God, 
learn to embrace it as a blessing.
Learn to be excited that God has called you to serve Him.
Serving God does not lead to salvation, 
but it is confirmation of your faith in Him.
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. 
(James 2:26)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me! Forgive me if I have 
failed to become a part of Your earthly ministry. Help me to allow 
You to be ‘at work’ in my life as an apostle of Yours. Show me 
Your desires for me, and teach me how to pursue the specific tasks 
You have designed especially for me. Protect me from the excuses 
Satan wants to implant in me to discourage me from being a true 
apostle of Yours. Thank You for considering me valuable enough 
to serve You.”

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