I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength because he considered me faithful. So he appointed me to ministry even though I used to speak against him, attack his people, and I was proud. But I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and without faith. Our Lord’s favor poured all over me along with the faithfulness and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is reliable and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I’m the biggest sinner of all. But this is why I was shown mercy, so that Christ Jesus could show his endless patience to me first of all. So I’m an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. Now to the king of the ages, to the immortal, invisible, and only God, may honor and glory be given to him forever and always! Amen. Timothy, my child, I’m giving you these instructions based on the prophecies that were once made about you. So if you follow them, you can wage a good war because you have faith and a good conscience. Some people have ruined their faith because they refused to listen to their conscience, such as Hymenaeus and Alexander. I’ve handed them over to Satan so that they can be taught not to speak against God. (1 Timothy 1:12-20, CEB)
Paul here tells Timothy about mercy.
Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Paul tells Timothy, “But I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and without faith.” Paul persecuted the followers of Jesus because he thought they were wrong and needed to be stopped so they were not leading others away from following God. Paul told Timothy he was shown mercy so Christ could show love through him. We all have a past and God’s mercy will show us that love is an answer. When we give up the foolishness and faithlessness we hold onto, God’s mercy and grace will be ever present in out lives and will allow us to show the world the love of God.
Love like Jesus.
Show mercy like God.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 