#TuesdayTruth 1 Timothy 1:12-17
“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 every and ever. Amen.”
Have you ever felt unworthy? Have you ever felt unreachable? Have you ever felt too far gone? It is so easy to get bogged down in things we did in the past or who we used to be, before we knew who were were in Christ. However, that is no reason to avoid running full-tilt, whole-heartedly after our Savior right now. It’s actually the reason that we should do just that.
The passage above was written by Paul. For context, Paul was previously known as Saul and, before he knew the truth of who he was in Christ, he literally tracked down and killed Christians, for being Christians (see Acts 9 for the account of his conversion). Here, he reflects on God’s incredible grace and mercy that were “poured out” on him.
Paul knows where he came from. He knows the junk in his past. He knows what people say about him. He DOES NOT dwell on that. Instead, he points to the Father- the source of mercy and grace, the one who looked at him in all his filth, who “appointed him” and who said, “That one. He is mine. He has a future. He is worth all of it.” That’s exactly why Jesus came to this earth- to save sinners, even (rather, especially), those who think they are the “worst.”
Paul’s history, his past, is what makes the mercy of the Father so exceptional. He said it best: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- of whom I am the worst.” When I read and consider that, I am brought to tears. I am undone by the kindness of the Father.
I know my past. I know the secret things of which I am ashamed. I know how lost I was before I knew my identity in Christ Jesus. I also know that there are people who might point to those things and say, “that’s not how a Christian should act.” More than any of that, I know the love of the Father, the mercy and grace extended to me, despite being “unworthy” by the world’s standards. I also know that, if anyone should point to the things in my past, I can point to the Father and say, “Look at how extravagant His love is! He left the 99…for me…knowing full well the garbage in my past. Despite all that, He loves me still. Because, it’s not about me. It’s about Him. THAT is how ‘abundantly’ His grace was poured out on me!” Thank God that He is not concerned with the world’s standards. This is how I can begin to comprehend, “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18).
Friend, you are NOT too far gone. You are NOT unreachable. There is nothing in your past that can keep you from the love of the Father. You may think, “Oh, but you don’t know about…” Guess what. It doesn’t matter. The “…” part of that sentence doesn’t matter, if you turn to the Father for His mercy, and for the grace that abounds. That is EXACTLY why Jesus came to this earth.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you that I am never outside of the reach of your love. Thank you for showing mercy to us and thank you for the grace that you abundantly pour out on us. Thank you for not seeing us as sinners and for not holding against us the things we did when we were “ignorant.” Thank you for your unlimited patience and for sending your Son for sinners, like me.
We love you Father, Amen.