"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 immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life." - 1 Timothy 1:15-16
I’m a builder and work with a lot of lumber. Some of the best things I’ve ever built was using old lumber, some has been very old. Wood that may have been used in an 1800’s old barn, or some that was used in an old wooden fence, and I love working with it. Most people would see it as trash, have no use for it, something destined for the burn pile; I see as beautiful. Sure, there are nails that have to be pulled. There are twists and curves that need to be straightened. There are hard knots that must be sanded and planed. But in the hands of a skillful builder, those seemingly imperfect places become defining characters. And in the end, what was destined for the trash is now a beautiful display that many admire and I’m proud to show it off.
In the same way, if we are willing to submit our lives fully to Jesus and commit to follow Him, God sees past our imperfections just like He did with the Apostle Paul.
Paul, in his letter to Timothy, shares a powerful truth about God's grace. He declares that Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Paul, who was once known as Saul, considered himself to be the worst of sinners because of his persecution of Christians. Yet, God's mercy reached him, transforming him from a persecutor of believers into a proclaimer of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul's life is a perfect example of God's immense patience and transforming grace. God's forgiveness and mercy are not limited by our past sins or the depths of our mistakes. Instead, He extends His loving hand to all who turn to Him in repentance and faith.
Through Paul's story, we see that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. His forgiveness is available to every person who believes in Jesus and accepts Him as Savior. Regardless of our past, God's grace has the power to remove those old nails; straighten those twists and curves; sand and plane those hard knots; so that we are no longer destined for the burn pile but rather we are now a beautiful display that many admire and He, as the Master Builder, is proud to show off.
Questions to consider:
1. How does Paul's testimony of God's grace encourage us in our own journey of faith?
2. In what ways can we personally relate to the message that Christ came to save sinners?
3. How can we extend the same grace and patience to others that God has shown us?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your transforming grace that reaches into the depths of our sin and lifts us into new life. Thank You for the example of the Apostle Paul, who experienced Your mercy and became a vessel for Your purpose. Help us to understand and accept Your grace fully. Teach us to extend the same grace and patience to others, just as You have shown us. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.