Daily devotion – separated
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
The journey of the Apostle Paul was marked by three significant separations, each carrying profound spiritual significance. These separations serve as meaningful lessons for our own lives.
1. Separated from the Womb: In his opening words in Galatians 1:15, Paul acknowledges that God’s hand was upon him even from the beginning. This separation refers to God’s unique plan for Paul’s life, highlighting the concept of divine purpose that begins before birth.
2. Separated on the Road to Damascus: The dramatic encounter on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) marked a pivotal moment when God separated Saul from his old life. This transformation was so radical that it changed his name from Saul, a persecutor of Christians, to Paul, a passionate follower of Christ.
3. Separated for Ministry: In Antioch, as recorded in Acts 13:2, the Holy Spirit directed the separation of Paul and Barnabas for a specific work. This event emphasizes the idea of being set apart for a particular purpose within the context of ministry.
While not everyone is called to be an apostle like Paul, these concepts can be applied to our lives as well:
Purchased: We have been purchased by the blood of Christ, who redeemed us from sin and death.
Called: God’s call has drawn us to Him and commissioned us to live out our faith in the world.
Separated: As Christians, we are inherently separated from the world’s ways. This separation is a result of God’s calling and should be reflected in our lifestyle.
Romans 8:29-30 – For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
In Romans 8:29-30, Paul expounds on the divine process that encompasses foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification. This passage underscores the profound plan of God in the lives of believers.
Ultimately, Paul’s message is clear: Since God has called us and set us apart, we are called to live in alignment with this separation. We are to manifest our identity as children of God through our actions, choices, and devotion to Christ. Let us remember that our lives are consecrated for a purpose greater than ourselves, to glorify God and make His name known.
Walk with Him this week in the world but not of the world!