When anyone receives Christ Jesus – there is the need of accepting God’s forgiveness. As one spiritually grows, the need for forgiveness becomes more evident. I cannot fully appreciate God’s abundant grace, His favor (which is not dependent on any of my merits), until I see what and who I am. I am the sinner who needs to be saved from my sins by Christ Jesus.
(Amplified) 1 Timothy 1:1-2a “PAUL, AN apostle (special messenger) of Christ Jesus by appointment and command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus, (the Messiah) our Hope,
2 To Timothy…”
***Paul identified himself in his relationship to God and His call on his life.
How do you identify yourself? Do you begin with your job description? Do you state your spouse’s name? Perhaps you tell others where you are from…it all depends on those with whom you are talking, doesn’t it?
Paul wanted his readers to know his credentials and his relationship with the Lord Jesus. Are your credentials similar to Paul’s? Paul understood who he was from God’s perspective. Is your hope in the risen Savior, Jesus Christ?
(Amplified) 1 Timothy 1:13 “Though I formerly blasphemed and persecuted and was shamefully and outrageously and aggressively insulting [to Him], nevertheless, I obtained mercy because I had acted out of ignorance in unbelief.”
***Paul’s description of his actions, before he had an encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, was one of unbelief. He did not excuse himself in any way.
Paul recognized God’s mercy was given to him after he had an encounter with Christ Jesus. Paul needed God’s grace. And so do you and me.
Unbelief in God’s Son, Jesus Christ (the Messiah of God) keeps us from God and His mercy and grace. Until we meet Jesus for ourselves, we cannot know of God’s grace and mercy. Until we recognize that we are sinners we will not obtain God’s mercy.
What were your actions toward God before you received God’s mercy, His grace? Pause a moment and recall your actions of unbelief…no one has any excuse before God. Only when our actions are recognized as being actions of ignorance in unbelief can we more fully recognize God’s abundant grace toward us.
Can you say with Paul that you acted out of ignorance in unbelief? If yes, then you also know that this does not excuse you before God. Where can anyone go for relief from such an indictment? Read what Paul said:
(Amplified) 1 Timothy 1:14 “And the grace (unmerited favor and blessing ) of our Lord [actually] flowed out superabundantly and beyond measure for me, accompanied by faith and love that are [to be realized] in Christ Jesus.”
***Wow! God’s grace – His unmerited favor and blessing is for all who acknowledge Jesus as their Savior. When anyone agrees with God that they are a sinner and need Jesus to live in them as their Savior – God’s grace is given!
You and I cannot measure God’s abundant grace…His grace is by faith and love through the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what Paul recognized about God’s mercy, have you? God’s grace is given to all who confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead – “˜you will be saved‘. (See Romans 10:9)
(Amplified) 1 Timothy 1:15 “The saying is sure and true and worthy of full and universal acceptance, that Christ Jesus (the Messiah) came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost.”
***This is what anyone who follows Christ comes to see about God’s truth: I am the sinner whom Christ Jesus came to save. What great news! It is God’s superabundant grace that is given without measure to all who follow Christ.
How shall you now pray?
