A Messenger's Heart

Paul starts his first letter to Timothy with a seemingly simple introduction. However, a careful study of this leads us into further revelation of his character.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope” - 1 Timothy 1:1

Paul is a self-proclaimed Apostle. This is derived from the Greek word apóstolos which means “to send”. It is equivalent to an “Emissary” (“a person sent on a special mission, usually as a diplomatic representative”) on behalf of Christ Jesus by command of God.

Paul in this opening of this phrase demonstrates his obedience, submissiveness, and servant’s mentality. He also understands his relational position with respect to God; Paul is the messenger and God is his commander.

Paul’s perspective of “God our Savior” and of “Christ Jesus our hope” is important to understanding his perspective on his mission and on his role. Paul declares that he is being sent on behalf of GOD. There is nothing more significant and no higher privilege that being the messenger of the creator of the universe. A messenger sent on behalf of the commander of a troop is not as one sent on behalf of the King. This has nothing to do with the value of the messenger himself, but the value of the one who sent him. The commander of a troop is limited in his authority, power and sovereignty, the King is not. The message of the King carries weight because of the King’s Power, Authority and Sovereignty. Paul’s message is endowed with importance because it is God who sent him. The more we ascribe value to originator of the message, the more valuable that message will be for us personally.

However, if that were not enough, the value of this message is further magnified by the personal nature of his relationship with the source of the message. God is Paul’s personal savior! Paul willingly accepts his role as a servant, and readily submits himself to God’s authority not just because of the power but also his proximity to whom he is serving. Paul has intimately experienced this proximity. His Savior met him on the road to Damascus and saved him from the path of destruction. His Savior physically opened his eyes, and more importantly spiritually opened his eyes to see the error of his theology, the depth of his sin and the futility of his own good works to redeem himself. This messenger had the trajectory of his life, both earthly and eternally, completely changed; he now lives forever indebted to his Savior. The proximity of the messenger lies in the faithfulness to the source of the message. His proximity increased with time and faithfulness, and correspondingly, so did the extent, influence, and importance of the message. Paul invites his Christian brethren into this proximity, “God is OUR savior” and “Christ Jesus is OUR hope”.

An analysis of the preview to the message is insightful as well. The message that Paul is proclaiming is two-fold in nature; there is a past and a future element. By proclaiming that “God our Savior”, Paul bears witness to the most significant event in the history of humanity, the death and resurrection of Jesus. Paul touches on this event, completely the work of God, that gave us the gift of Salvation. By proclaiming that “Christ Jesus is our Hope”, Paul proclaims that there is yet remaining to be fulfilled a future event, the gathering of the Saints and our entrance into an eternal proximity with our Christ Jesus.

This brief introduction, when interpreted in the context of Paul’s teachings and theology, give us significant insight into the character of Paul. From the accounts of Paul, it is safe to say that he would be able to answer the questions below in the affirmative.

Reflection Questions

1. Do I have a messenger’s heart?

   1. Am I growing in an understanding of my role as a messenger on behalf of God?

   2. Am I growing in my obedience to God’s commands?

   3. Am I submissive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in my life?

   4. God can only use the messengers with the right attitude.

1. What is my revelation of the of the magnitude of God?

   1. Do I understand his power?

   2. Have I seen it in the lives of others?

   3. Have I experienced it personally?

   4. Am I constantly seeking and praying to experience it personally?

   5. The revelation of the magnitude of God helps us understand the value of the message we carry on God’s behalf.

1. What is my proximity to God?

   1. Have I set apart time from my busy schedule to listen to what God has to say to me?

   2. Have I been faithful in delivering his message to those he sends me to?

   3. Have I delivered the message accurately?

   4. Have I compromised the message by the way that I live my life?

   5. The proximity to the source of the message helps us understand the value of the message we carry on God’s behalf.