I Was Shown Mercy
Paul,
an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus
our hope,
1 Timothy 1:1
I
thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me
trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer
and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in
ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly,
along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
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. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and
glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy
1:12-17
What does your
business card say about you? Maybe a title about what you are at work, maybe
your place in this earthy society. What do you think Paul’s business card would
have said? “Apostle.” He was sent by God. He was not
elected by God. He was appointed by God to spread the good news of Jesus
Christ. Paul did not use his title in a prideful manner, but out of wonder. In
other words, his was not a human appointment but a divine appointment.
Paul had taken
Christians to task, before he came to Jesus. He hunted them down. He persecuted
them. He brought them to death. And yet in humility, Paul accepted one of the
most important titles ever given to a human, that of “apostle.” We are the
same. We have been appointed. The real question is what we do with that
appointment. In perspective, we do not deserve the commission we have received.
God gave
you a message to share. Don’t keep it to yourself.
Our Daily Bread –