Friday 31 January, 2014

2 Comments/in /by

1 Timothy 1:12-17

12 I am thankful to Christ Jesus our Lord. He has given me strength. I thank him that he considered me faithful. And I thank him for appointing me to serve him. 13 I used to speak evil things against Jesus. I tried to hurt his followers. I really pushed them around. But God showed me mercy anyway. I did those things without knowing any better. I wasn’t a believer. 14 Our Lord poured out more and more of his grace on me. Along with it came faith and love from Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a saying that you can trust. It should be accepted completely. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the worst sinner of all. 16 But for that very reason, God showed me mercy. And I am the worst of sinners. He showed me mercy so that Christ Jesus could show that he is very patient. I was an example for those who would come to believe in him. Then they would receive eternal life. 17 The eternal King will never die. He can’t be seen. He is the only God. Give him honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

God shows me mercy for this reason:

“So others can see that Jesus has mercy for them too, and wants to do something beautiful with their lives”.

This is wonderful to contemplate. First that Jesus would love me though I was a sinner. Second that he loves me not only that I might be loved, but so others can see that they are loved too.

So now I am entrusted with callings that are unique to me, and it is Jesus that has given me strength to fulfil them. He found what looked useless and has turned me into someone useful.

“Lord we all have unique callings, yet we all have the one calling. Lord we rest in your love, we know you love us. May people see that you love them through our lives, let your power strengthen us for this call, the universal call of your Church”. Amen.

Written By Andrew Mellor

2 replies
  1. David Newton says:

    Quick Original Geek Word Study – v16 ‘patient’ – An adjective
    .
    We think it means – ‘quietly waiting’ or of people – ‘living with the gently acceptance of the shortcomings of others’.
    .
    Its actual meaning refers to an attribute that causes a person to ‘wait before displaying anger’ or ‘delayed retribution’. It is the opposite of the english word ‘short-tempered’. Patience does not mean ‘no judgement’ it means ‘delayed judgment’.

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