Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
12 “How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for considering me trustworthy and appointing me to serve Him, 13 even though I used to scoff at the name of Christ. I hunted down His people, harming them in every way I could. But GOD had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 14 Oh, how kind and gracious the Lord was! He filled me completely with faith and the love of Christ Jesus.” ~ 1 Timothy 1:6-9
People can feel so guilt-ridden by their past that they think GOD could never forgive and accept them. But consider Paul’s past. He had scoffed at the teachings of Jesus and hunted down and murdered GOD’s people before coming to faith in Christ. 1 “Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath. He was eager to destroy the Lord’s followers, so he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them – both men and women – back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 As he was nearing Damascus on this mission, a brilliant light from heaven suddenly beamed down upon him! 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, sir?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’” – Acts 9:1-6
Saul (later called Paul) was so zealous for his Jewish beliefs that he began a persecution campaign against anyone who believed in Christ – “followers of the Way”. As Saul traveled to Damascus, pursuing Christians, he was confronted by the risen Christ and brought face to face with the truth of the Good News. Sometimes GOD breaks into a life in a spectacular manner, and sometimes conversion is a quiet experience. We must beware of people who insist that we must have a particular type of conversion experience. The right way to come to faith in Jesus is whatever way GOD brings us.
GOD forgave Paul and used him in a mighty way for HIS Kingdom. No matter how shameful our past, GOD can and will forgive and use us. We may feel that our faith in GOD and our love for Christ and for others is inadequate. However, we can be confident that Christ will help our faith and love grow as our relationship with Him deepens.
Thank You, Father that no matter how shameful our past is YOU forgive us, and YOU love us anyway. No matter how inadequate we may feel we can be confident that Christ will help our faith and love grow as our relationship with Him deepens. We are thankful to Christ Jesus our Lord for considering us trustworthy and appointing us to serve Him!
