2Ti 1:10-12 “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
In verse nine of this chapter, Paul has spoken of our salvation and our calling, given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. He states that we received these, not by our works, but according to the grace and purpose of God. How would we know anything about what was done before the world began? Because God reveals it to us by the Holy Spirit.
Paul tells us these glorious things are now made manifest. The word “now” indicates that this is immediate or in the present. According to God’s word, our salvation and our calling in Christ Jesus appears to us in our present time and circumstance. We may not understand why He has saved and called creatures of dust such as us. However, once God makes it manifest, we cannot deny His work of grace.
How glorious it is that He is pleased to make this manifest by the present appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ! With the coming of the Holy Spirit, our Saviour appears unto us by the eye of faith. We see Him as He shows His love to His bride (the church). We speak with Him in prayer and hear His voice calming our fears.
If we are confident that death cannot hold us, that our life is eternal, then we do so because we see our Risen Lord. We know that death is abolished because He is alive and alive for ever. We hear His words of power and truth through the preaching of His gospel. Knowing that our life is in Him, we understand that hearing the gospel is not the source of life.
We also know that the preacher is not the source of the gospel. When we are blessed to truly hear the gospel, we see Jesus. Jesus has abolished death. Jesus brings life and immortality to light through the gospel. It is important that we read this statement carefully.
The gospel does not bring life and immortality. Jesus does not use the gospel to impart life and immortality. He uses the gospel to show us that He is the giver of life an immortality. The gospel shines a light (manifests) in our hearts on the mighty work of God given us through our Saviour Jesus Christ and made manifest by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What a great blessing to be appointed a preacher of this glorious gospel! The literal meaning of the word translated as appointed is “placed.” An object (or person) that is “placed” is put in a certain position by one who has authority. We are preachers of the gospel because we have a holy calling from God and not because of any inherent worthiness in us: He has appointed (placed) us, according to His own will.
By His grace, we feel no shame for declaring the truth of Christ Jesus through the foolishness of preaching. What an amazing thing it is to declare that we know (see) Him in whom we believe. How thankful we should be to trust that He is able to keep our lives (that which we have committed unto Him). He will keep it until the end!
May God bless us to rejoice in the present appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ!
