You are a Mercy Trophy and So is That Sinner Over There

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Timothy 1:12-17 ESV Read More

This is the only place in the New Testament where Paul refers to himself as a sinner in present tense…but it’s not really in present tense!

Paul is calling himself the foremost of those that were saved from being sinners. He could have called all kinds of people at Timothy’s church sinners. He knew all about Timothy and he could have called Timothy a sinner! But nope.

I was saved. I received mercy so that Christ could show off. The focus shifts and moves away from all of the bad that I did, to all of the good that Christ did and now does as I respond and surrender.

Christ wants to show off His perfect patience, so yes, He obliterates our sin as far as judgment, but it lingers in the world as a glorious before and after picture.

People that knew me when I punched people in the face out of anger now see Christ work peace in my towards my enemies. People that knew me in distraction and undependability now see Christ walk out faithfulness in my life.

God didn’t love that sin, but He loves you and wants to show off his patience and mercy in you… and in every other loser we are tempted to cast judgment upon.

To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

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