1 Timothy 1:12-17
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who
hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained
mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was
exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a
faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the
world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained
mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth
all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him
to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only
wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.
Amen." 1Timothy
God was indeed merciful to Saul of Tarsus (we
know him as the Apostle Paul); for he was a persecutor of the Church of Jesus
Christ! Being zealous for the Jewish Faith, but misguided, he spoke against the
Lord Jesus Christ and arrested, imprisoned, and even put to death followers of
Jesus (Acts 7:58; 8:1-3; 9:1-2). But the Lord Jesus showed mercy to Saul when
He met him on the road to
What a comfort this truth is to sinners like you and me! "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." As sinners, we know that Christ Jesus came into the world to save us! By His holy life and innocent sufferings and death on the cross, Jesus has redeemed you and me--He paid in full the punishment for our sins-- that God might be merciful unto us and grant to us eternal salvation (John 3:16; Col. 1:19-23; 2:11-14; Titus 3:3-7).
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we thank Thee for coming into the world and redeeming us, and for showing mercy upon us and bringing us to faith in Thee. Graciously keep us in Thy mercy throughout our earthly lives that we may receive the eternal joys which Thou hast purchased for us when Thou didst shed Thy holy and precious blood upon the cross. Amen.