“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.”
1 Timothy 1:16
As a new Christian, I compared myself to other believers and couldn’t help thinking that maybe God hadn’t really saved me. All I could see were my most despicable acts, my most selfish crimes, and the most devastating wreckage I had caused. How could God ever accept someone like me?
When I first read Paul’s harsh self-assessment in his letter to Timothy, I dismissed it. Surely Paul wasn’t all that bad. But I learned about the apostle’s former life and realized that he, like me, was a man who sinned against God in extreme ways. He too had hurt others as I did.
Thank the Lord that He does not show favoritism (see Romans 2:11). He reaches into our lives, ugly as they may be, leading us by His kindness to repentance (v. 4). Paul notes that it is through the worst in us that God grants His patience and mercy. This reshapes how we view our past and gives eternal significance to our experiences before and after being saved. We can join Paul in freely sharing the worst of who we are to help our loved ones see the best of who God is.
When I first read Paul’s harsh self-assessment in his letter to Timothy, I dismissed it. Surely Paul wasn’t all that bad. But I learned about the apostle’s former life and realized that he, like me, was a man who sinned against God in extreme ways. He too had hurt others as I did.
Thank the Lord that He does not show favoritism (see Romans 2:11). He reaches into our lives, ugly as they may be, leading us by His kindness to repentance (v. 4). Paul notes that it is through the worst in us that God grants His patience and mercy. This reshapes how we view our past and gives eternal significance to our experiences before and after being saved. We can join Paul in freely sharing the worst of who we are to help our loved ones see the best of who God is.
Scripture Focus
1 Timothy 1:15-17
Insight
Ashamed of your past? Ask God to help you see that sharing your past and how God saved you from it is a fitting expression of gratitude.
Bible In A Year
- Exodus 25-26
- Psalm 38
- Luke 2