Today’s Reading: 2 Thess. 2-3, I Timothy 1, & Proverbs 21
Guest Blogger: Connie Swain
In 1st Timothy 1, scripture gives us a glimpse into the heart of Paul the Apostle. Timothy is his protégé. Having traveled with Paul, Timothy was now commissioned to stay in Ephesus and deal with the fledging church and all the troubles that ensued. Paul, at this point in his life, is older and trying to encourage this young pastor in his dealings with the people, doctrine, and other issues that had arisen.
I love to study the life of Paul. He walked all over most of Israel, Greece, and other areas in what we now know as the Middle East, yet you hear little complaints of that. He had to deal with false teachers, heretics, legalistic leaders in the church, and governmental authorities with their own agendas. Yet, here, close to the end of his life, he is still overwhelmed by what Christ has done for him.
In this passage, Paul opens with a greeting and immediately addresses the issues of false teachers, the purpose of the Mosaic Law, and how to deal with those types of people -in love! (See 1 Timothy 1:5). What happens next can easily be overlooked. Paul becomes overwhelmed because he used to be one of them: the false teachers.
Paul is talking about the purpose of the law being made for the unrighteous man, lawless, ungodly sinners who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, immoral men, and whatever else (1 Timothy 1:9-10). Then, almost as an afterthought, he remembers that he was one of them. And in the middle of his instruction we see a statement of thanksgiving.
1 Timothy 1:12-16
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service; even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. And yet I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. And yet, for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
The more he wrote, the more overwhelmed he became by God’s goodness in his own life, and he had to express it.
1 Timothy 1:17
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Even after many, many years in ministry, Paul has never lost the ability to marvel at what God has done in his life. He understands just how far away he was. Even though he was earnest in his error, he knows that he was lawless, ungodly, a murderer, and a kidnapper – all in the name of the Law.
Modern media is an amazing thing. It is a wonderful tool to further the gospel and it has changed many lives. However, how many times have you seen someone on Christian TV who is giving their testimony and they are no longer moved by it?
The language has become rote, the story is pat, and the intonation in their voice no longer changes. They almost seem removed from it. Initially, when people are saved out of their horrific lives and/or circumstances, they can hardly speak of it because the level of grace they saw in Jesus was so overwhelming. Now, there is almost no emotion attached.
On one level this may simply be a protective mechanism to get them through the re-telling of their tale. However, for many, it is because they have disconnected from it and are no longer overwhelmed at what Christ did for them. I’m really not attempting to judge them or their hearts. Only God knows their heart. However, I am using this example to make a point.
May we never cease to marvel at the goodness of God in our lives, no matter how long we walk with Him.
Look at what Paul says about himself:
- Blasphemer (which carried a death penalty in the Old Testament, and often in the New)
- Persecutor
- Violent Aggressor (he admits to hurting people)
- Foremost of all sinners
These acts weren’t against bad people. These things Paul did in the name of God as a Pharisee persecuting the people who followed and believed in Jesus. He was legally attacking and killing the innocent. That is why he never served jail time for what he did. Paul was a hit man for the church to get rid of those whom the religious leaders of the day thought were heretics.
But Paul also contrasts who he was with what Jesus thought of him:
You can almost hear his voice crack as we read the words. Paul understood that the grace of His Lord is what rescued him out of his ignorance and unbelief. God’s grace, full of faith and love in Christ Jesus, is what rescued him. That is the message of this season – the reason Christ came into the world.
In verse 15, Paul tells us that “Christ Jesus came into the world to ‘save’ sinners, and he, Paul, was the worst.“ Jesus came to rescue him from his life of anger, murder and blasphemy and Paul, even after all the missionary journeys, all the church plants, all the teachings and writings, all the jail time, all the persecution, was still overwhelmed by just how much mercy Jesus showed him.
During this holiday season, take a moment to go back. Go back before you knew Christ Remember who and what you were, and be overwhelmed again. Allow God to remind you just how much mercy He demonstrated in your life. Do not allow your testimony to ever become rote and emotionless. Allow God to remind you again just how much He loved you, and what He rescued you from. Then praise Him. Again.
1 Timothy 1:17
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
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