Good Morning Friends,
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given
me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even
though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown
mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was
poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ
Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners -- of whom I am the worst. But for that
very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus
might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe
on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible,
the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:12-17)
By the time Paul wrote this letter to Timothy
he had been a Christian for many years, probably over 25. Yet, Paul never
forgot from where he came and what God had done for him. It’s not that he
dwelled on his past sins, but he did remember the extent of God’s grace that
was shown to him. He never forgot how much he had for which to praise God.
He praised God for the grace that brought him
into the kingdom. Paul didn’t deserve to be saved. Perhaps even more than most
of us, Paul deserved to be punished, even destroyed. He was responsible for
troubling the early church, even responsible for the deaths of some who held on
to Christ. He wasn’t a very good candidate for salvation, not from a human
perspective. But God saw the depth of his hurt, his need, and his potential in
Christ. By grace, God drew Paul into the kingdom.
And every one of us has a similar story. Your
story is probably not as violent as Paul’s story. Most of us have never opposed
the Gospel, but most of us have ignored it, perhaps even ridiculed it. By
grace, God drew each of us into His kingdom. We should never forget that. It is
grace that brought you where you are.
And Paul praised God that grace did not just
bring him into the kingdom and leave him on the sidelines as damaged goods not
really useful for anything. God gave Paul an assignment in the kingdom,
appointed him to His service. That was grace, too.
And God’s grace extends that far to us, too. God’s
grace draws us into the kingdom and God’s grace continues to draw us further,
into service for the Gospel.
Paul had a great deal for which to be thankful.
So do we!!
His, by Grace,
Steve
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