"Thanks for God's mercy"
v12-13
Paul starts off by thanking Jesus, who gave him strength, as Jesus trusted and gave Paul work of serving God. Before Paul knew God he was a persecutor, violent and acted out of pride.
(In Jerusalem Saul was still threatening the followers of the Lord by saying he would kill them Act 9:1). Paul talks of when he was a sinner and that God showed him mercy. And now he was all fired up for God, and he had been transformed.
If God can save Paul, he can bring salvation to ANYONE. Always good to remember, especially on mission trips like we don't know who has an open heart.
v14
"But the grace of our Lord was fully given to me, and with that grace came the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 1:14
Paul never deserved God's grace, and neither do we. We can't ever earn it, and I think that's what sometimes non-christian's (and maybe sometimes Christians) don't understand, they think you have to work in order to get grace. In that case, we'd be screwed, so thank God everyday for his amazing grace!
v15 - 17
Paul summarisizes the heart of the gospel, that JC came into the world to save sinners. Paul says he was the worst of sinners, but he was given mercy and doesn't this again show that God has no limit! Paul is the perfect example of God's love, patience and mercy. Paul ends this with "To the King that rules forever, who will never die, who cannot be seen, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
Application
Couple of things;
v12-13
Paul starts off by thanking Jesus, who gave him strength, as Jesus trusted and gave Paul work of serving God. Before Paul knew God he was a persecutor, violent and acted out of pride.
(In Jerusalem Saul was still threatening the followers of the Lord by saying he would kill them Act 9:1). Paul talks of when he was a sinner and that God showed him mercy. And now he was all fired up for God, and he had been transformed.
If God can save Paul, he can bring salvation to ANYONE. Always good to remember, especially on mission trips like we don't know who has an open heart.
v14
"But the grace of our Lord was fully given to me, and with that grace came the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 1:14
Paul never deserved God's grace, and neither do we. We can't ever earn it, and I think that's what sometimes non-christian's (and maybe sometimes Christians) don't understand, they think you have to work in order to get grace. In that case, we'd be screwed, so thank God everyday for his amazing grace!
v15 - 17
Paul summarisizes the heart of the gospel, that JC came into the world to save sinners. Paul says he was the worst of sinners, but he was given mercy and doesn't this again show that God has no limit! Paul is the perfect example of God's love, patience and mercy. Paul ends this with "To the King that rules forever, who will never die, who cannot be seen, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
Application
Couple of things;
- ANYONE can be changed. Paul talks of the fact he was the biggest sinner and he had been changed and therefore so can anyone. There's so many people in my life who I know are slipping away from God, or slipping towards God or just no where near, but the people you least expect may have a heart open to God, and this is why it's so important to evangelize toEVERYONE, you don't know who might be interested. Keep praying and keep talking to everyone about JC.
- But, God's mercy isn't for those who have done the worst. When I was writing my testimony back in 2009, I thought I wasn't as good as others, who had come off drugs, were an alcoholic and had made amazing transformations. In the same way, I tell you there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes his heart. Luke 15:7a. This doesn't say and God doesn't say that those with the biggest transformation make more joy in heaven. No. God's mercy is for everyone!
No comments:
Post a Comment