Scripture:1Timothy 1:12-16 (ESV)
I thank him who has given me
strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me
to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent
opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and
the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in
Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ
might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe
in him for eternal life.
Devotional:
Throughout my life there have been
many times I have questioned my own faith.
I think who am I, and why would God save me. I definitely do not deserve it. Then I
read something Paul writes. Throughout
all his writings, Paul is faithful. However,
this was not always the case. In fact,
Paul starts out persecuting Christians and putting them to death.
So what happened? How did Paul come to change his ways. It was not anything he did. It was not his strength or will. Are you asking what happened? Simply put Jesus showed up. Paul became faithful for the rest of his
life, even unto death.
Jesus did show up. He was born a baby. He lived life here on earth. He suffered a horrible death. He rose from the dead victorious over sin and
death. The best part is that is not the
end of the story. Jesus is still showing
up today. The Holy Spirit is at work all
around. Jesus came not for a few but for
everyone. Jesus is waiting for us to
welcome Him in. He wants to be part of
our lives. The fact is anyone can be
saved. Jesus did not come for a select
few. He desperately wants each one of us
to believe. Romans 3:23-24 (ESV) “for
all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his
grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…” Yes that means every single one of us has
sinned. Every single one of us deserves
death, separation from God for all eternity.
Jesus offers redemption for us all.
His death and resurrection paid our debts. Romans 6:23 (ESV) “For the wages of sin is
death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Even though we do not deserve it, we are given life. The most precious thing we could ever gain is freely given. I think that single thought gives people the most trouble. We place a price tag on everything. The more valuable the higher it costs. Therefore, something free must not be of great value. Something free has to have strings attached. The truth is there was and is a price for our salvation. It cost a man his life. He was severely beaten. He was nailed to a cross and suffered a painful humiliating death. Why did he do it? You might find it hard to believe, but He did it because He loves YOU.
Paul is a great example for
us. He would be one of the last people
we would think God would redeem and use.
God chose Paul. Paul accepted and
devoted his life to Christ. He did not
deserve it, but he did receive it. What
about you?
