The Call to Service

“For He saith,” I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation I succored thee.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

Much of the Apostle Paul’s thoughts in 2 Cor. 6: and 6 can be seen to have their origin in the servant prophecies of Isaiah. While those prophecies show that God’s original offer of responsibility and corresponding reward was offered to a multitudinous servant, Israel, it is also apparent, upon retrospect, that that servant, if left to it’s own initiative, would fail in the acceptance and discharge of that responsibility. Thus we find the prophet moving very sublimely from Isaiah chapter 40 to 53, from dealing with a national servant to an individual servant.

We use the term multitudinous servant because while we realize that the call was first to the National servant, and while it is often spoken of as one servant, it was in fact made up of a multitude of individuals. While they were often times treated as one servant, it was the aggregate of their actions which were considered by Yahweh in meting out judgement upon the nation. While as a nation, they had a certain relationship and responsibility to Yahweh, He still judged each one as an individual. It was never a matter of the whole nation being saved or cast off. It was always the principle—a remnant, even the faithful, shall be saved. Paul very strongly argues the case against block — salvation in Rom. 3:1-3, and 9:3. If block salvation were possible,

Paul would sacrifice his own personal salvation, if it would gain all Israel’s. But, of course, this is not the principle upon which God operates. And though the servant prophecies were directed at national Israel first, we can bring the principles down into our time and apply them to ourselves. God has extended the call to service to all men everywhere. It doesn’t matter that most men refuse to accept the call to service. There are individuals here and there who will. And ultimately, they will all be joined together as one to constitute the Israel of GOD, true Israelites indeed.

Together, the multitudinous servant, and the perfect individual servant, will ultimately accomplish the objective and purpose of Yahweh. But without the individual servant, the multitudinous servant would never achieve that purpose; would never achieve the level of righteousness and obedience which was absolutely necessary if the realization of the grace and blessings which were outlined by the prophet were to be achieved.

The reason was obvious. All flesh is grass. And in the words of our master,” the flesh profiteth nothing.” The way was extremely difficult and the path strewn with too many snares, both obvious and unseen. It would need the guiding hand of an omniscient mind to direct the steps of men of the dust who themselves found their way through the path of life being guided by a mind geared to the thinking of the flesh. But, we ask, did not those men who were composite members of the multitudinous servant have the assistance of an omniscient mind? Did they not have the recorded Word ? Did they not have the oracles of Yahweh their GOD? Did they not have the guiding voice of the prophets who spoke to them the desired will of Yahweh? The answer of course is Yes! But it needed more than that. It needed minds which were able to perceive the truth of what their God revealed to them and to accept, upon perceiving that truth, all that their God revealed and asked them to do in a spirit of reverent, loving submission. It needed a desire within those minds to fulfill the responsibilities of that acceptance which was greater and would rise above the desires that would often times be aroused by their own nature and instincts. This could be accomplished only through the individual servant who was specifically provided for the purpose by Yahweh Himself. It was to be a process which would take time.

The responsibility was offered to the multitudinous servant, and refused. The individual servant took it up and working in a spirit of subservient cooperation with the Father, was strengthened and enabled to perform the responsibilities that were laid upon him. Through the strength derived from the Father, he was able to triumph over sin and ultimately the grave itself. It was important that he did it not in a selfish attitude. Though he personally gained the gift of life and the most precious position of a Beloved, obedient Son, he constantly was aware of his weaker brethren and the great opportunity he was procuring for them through his efforts. In his own trials and tribulations, he always found the strength and the time to offer encouragement to those for whom he was doing it all.

After he had triumphed and overcome all, and had brought into effect a new covenant, the way for his brethren servants had been made easier. Yea, rather, the way had been made possible for them. Those composite members of the multitudinous servant who could not have achieved the high standard of moral perfection which he had attained, could by expressing faith in all that he had revealed, be accounted as if they had. They could now see in a man the characteristics and standard of service which their God was requiring of them. And they could openly confess to their God, “Yes, Lord, that is the standard of righteousness and service that in my heart I desire to render unto You; please forgive me when I fall short of Your Glory, and strengthen me to overcome the desires of this body of sin and death.”

And Yahweh is pleased, in His great mercy, to look upon servants of such a contrite heart and humble spirit and to remove their transgressions from them as far as the East is from the West. Yahweh has stated, “Though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them whiter than the snow.”

The Apostle Paul states in Romans, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin . . . For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Jesus, the individual servant, did not take away the responsibilities in his re­conciliatory work. They are still incumbent upon each composite member of the multitudinous servant. Perhaps, by making those responsibilities clearer to define, they have been made easier to accept Jesus, the individual servant, said, “he who is not willing to take up his cross daily and follow me, is not worthy of me.”

The way we now know. But as composite members of the multitudinous servant, we must still, each one individually, make the decision to accept them. And so we have a multitude of servants who will ultimately have a share in Yahweh’s great work of redemption with the whole earth. It would not have been possible however, without the strength and help offered by the individual servant. . . And down through the pages of history, from the time of Jesus to now, there have been individuals, though themselves a member of the multitudinous servant, who have been specially strengthened to provide help and succor to their brethren. The Apostle Paul was such a servant. In 2 Cor. 1:1, the apostle starts off his epistle by saying, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of GOD, unto the Ecclesia of GOD which is at Corinth.”

In this preamble, Paul is established as an individual servant, who has been specially chosen and strengthened by Yahweh for the purpose of strengthening his fellow servants.

He does not linger to boast of this high position though. In almost the same breath, he identifies himself with his brethren, for whom all his labors are expended.

In verse 3, he says, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that WE may be able to comfort Them which are in any trouble.”

And in ch. 5:17, “Therefore, if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new. And all things are of GOD, who hath reconciled US to Himself by Jesus Christ, and given to US the ministry of reconciliation.” The responsibilities of the ministry of reconciliation are still there. They are still incumbent upon US—the members of the multitudinous servant.

Few things could be more demoralizing to our faith than to think that we are fighting the battle of the flesh alone. And few things can be more uplifting to our faith than to have brethren who are constantly working on behalf of the Ecclesia to strengthen, encourage, and offer help in the battle. When we let our minds dwell on this fact, we more fully appreciate the victory which Christ has won. We more fully appreciate the fact that he stood alone among men. It is brought more fully to our attention that there was only one source of strength upon which he rested. We should realize more fully that this same source of strength is still available to us today. Not only is it available, it is the only reliable source of strength upon which we can place our trust. God changeth never. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. On Him we can rely. On the other hand, how many times has our faith and trust in a man been let down?

Solomon wrote, “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth and a foot out of joint.” Prov. 25:19.

When we consider the experiences of the Apostle Paul, it is apparent that he was indeed a servant who labored on behalf of his brethren. In his own words, “I could have wished myself accursed and banished from Christ, if that would benefit my brethren, my own kinsmen by race.” Rom. 9:2 Moffett & Knox.

He truly felt the responsibility of his acceptance of the Divine Call. And in 2 Cor. 6, he exhorts those who had taken the first steps to likewise feel the responsibility and accept it and not to let the offer of the grace of God pass by unclaimed. He makes it very clear that grace can be lost by unfaithfulness in carrying out the responsibilities of the servant, as well as the outright refusal to accept the responsibilities in the first place.

In chap. 6:1, Paul states, “Sharing in God’s work, we urge this appeal upon you; you have received the grace of God, do not let it go for nothing.” N.E.B.

Most commentators give the sense of this verse as being co-workers with God. It would seem that the idea is similar to that found in 1 Cor. 3:9. The sense is better understood, I believe, as “fellow workers for God.”,; the emphasis all through being on God’s power and work. The apostles were fellow workers with one another, just as we are fellow workers today with one another, but not fellow workers with God in quite the same sense. The Companion Bible has a good comment on this verse in 1 Cor. 3:9. “Laborers together with God”, should be translated or understood as “God’s fellow workers.” The word “God” is in the genitive of possession. The genitive of possession may be said to answer the question, ‘Whose ?’ Comp. Bible, Appen. 17.

The servants of God are co-workers with one another, not with God, as though He were one of them. Were it so, “God” would be in the dative case. A better rendering would be, “God’s fellow workers are we: God’s husbandry, God’s building ye are.”

Coming back to 2 Cor. 6:1, Rother­ham translates it,” As co-workers however, we also beseech, that not in vain, the favor of God ye welcome.”

The idea or thought flows from the closing verses of chapter 5, at verse 20, “It is, then, on Christ’s behalf that we are acting as ambassadors, God, as it were, appealing to you through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf — Be reconciled to God.” TCNT.

It is a sharing of the responsibilities now with the individual servant which Paul refers to. And, in 2 Cor. 6:2, he quotes Isaiah 49:8 to prove that the help and assistance of God was still available to the multitudinous servant. It was the source of strength that enabled the individual servant to triumph and it was still available to them. And we have only to peruse the 49th chapter of Isaiah to see that the pattern of reconciliation which was outlined of the servant of Yahweh, the ideal servant, pertains to the saints. First of all, there is the call to service. Yahweh is looking for a favorable response to this call, for it is His intention to dwell among His people and it will be through this new creation that His pleasure will be fulfilled. To those who do respond, Yahweh does not leave them to struggle alone, but has assured that His help and presence is ever near. The responsibility of the servant is to faithfully serve. This includes doing all that the master asks, and this includes extending the Hope and the call to others that he comes in contact with. Unless they too respond to the call, they remain prisoners in bondage — a bondage of death. It’s an anomaly. By becoming servants to the most High GOD, they become free men. Not only do they become freemen, but they become members of the great family of God, just as the individual servant was a Son of God. Is it an envious position to have—to be the son of an earthly king or ruler? How much greater to be a son of God! The apostle Paul says, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of men, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”

Paul is quoting from Isaiah 64:4, and he shows that under the new covenant, which was brought into effect by the individual servant, Jesus, the wonders prepared for believers are revealed. It was a matter of record of history for all to see. No eye had seen, nor ear heard of, a God doing such wonders as Yahweh the God of Israel did. In Isaiah 64:5, the prophet goes on to say, “Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember Thee in Thy ways: behold, Thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those (ways) is continuance, and we shall be saved.” The word “meet­est” signifies “meeting — as a friend.” Who in their history but the faithful servants such as Abraham are called the friend of God ?

Whoever “waits” on this gracious God and Saviour is met with joy and right­eousness, and in those ways of the Divine Grace there is continuance, and not fick­leness; and hence the salvation of the faithful servant is assured.

The provisions of the Gospel which were prepared under the first covenant and revealed under the second are all foreshadowed in this 5th verse. If we start in the middle of the verse and move backward and forward, the doctrine of a full-orbed Gospel will be seen.

Sin — “we have sinned,” Wrath — “Thou wast wroth” (RV), God’s way of salvation — “Thy ways,” Holiness—”him that worketh righteousness,” Happiness — “him that rejoiceth,” Fellowship — “Thou meetest him,” Perpetuity — ‘in those ways is continuance,” and Assurance — “we shall be saved.”

God’s way of pardoning and justifying the sinner is opposed to man’s way. First, there is the acceptance and belief of His revelation respecting sin and its eternal doom, and then the acceptance of the atoning Saviour, who said, “I am the way.” The moral effect is an activity in working righteousness; in the possession of the joy of God’s salvation; in the sweetness of fellowship with both the individual servant, Jesus, and the Father, Yahweh, in the comfort of knowing that there is no fickleness in His purposes of love, but continuance, (Philippians 1:6) and lastly, in the certitude of an enduring life that will never end.

A faithful servant will indeed experience trials in his efforts to remain loyal to his master. Again, out of the experience of Paul, when he had been stoned and left for dead, comes the exhortation,” we must through much tribulation enter the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22).

We may suffer the loss of relatives and friends through loyal obedience to the responsibilities of the servant. This too was considered in the prophets’ delineation of the servant’s responsibilities. (Isaiah 49:20-21).

The individual servant, Jesus, said, “There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the Kingdom of God’s sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come live everlasting.”

The rest of the apostle Paul’s exhortation in 2 Cor. 6 is but an outline of the responsibilities of the servant of Yahweh. It requires a certain amount of self sacrifice. It will cost us something. David, in his experiences, stated. “I will not offer burnt offerings unto Yahweh my GOD of that which doth cost me nothing.” This was very fitting as the burnt offerings of which he spake represented total dedication unto Yahweh.

The decision is before each one of us. Are we on the thresh-hold of accepting this call to service from our God ? Let us not hesitate to believe that God can be a strong influencing power in our lives. Let us not hesitate to believe that he can provide us with strength that we know we do not have inherent within ourselves. Are we already in the way, and need to have our faith renewed ? Let us study prayerfully through this portion of Paul’s epistle, for this was the position of those to whom he wrote. Let us read and study again the power contained in the 2nd verse of 2 Cor. 6 — quoted from Isaiah 49:8—”For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee.” He is ever near to help.

Is the prize worth the trials? To ask is to answer. Consider the position now of the Beloved Son of GOD. And this is the Hope of Our Calling to service.

“Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith Yahweh, and touch not the Unclean thing; and I will receive you.

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My Sons and Daughters, saith Yahweh Almighty.” Isaiah 52:11, 2 Cor. 6:17-18.