John Newton, a former slave trader, wrote the classic “Amazing Grace.” Before he repented, Newton was so wicked and hated that his own crew despised him. Once out on the water, he fell overboard. The ship’s crew threw him barbs as a lifesaver. Later in life, he repented, repudiated slavery, and wrote "Amazing Grace." Near his death he is reported as saying, “I am a great sinner, but Christ is a great Savior.” Like Newton, the Apostle Paul appreciated God’s grace. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul expresses his gratitude for God’s unmerited favor—that despite how he had blasphemed the name of Christ and persecuted Christ’s followers, the Lord chose him to be a preacher of the Gospel. He said, “God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.” He celebrated God’s favor in filling him with faith and love. He regarded himself as the chief of sinners because he tried to destroy God’s people. He was convinced that God showed mercy to him so he could be an example to others. He was an example of God’s patience with even the worst of sinners; now others will realize that God will save them, too, if they believe. He gives credit to God alone as the eternal king, the unseen God who never dies. So whether God saved us from a vile evil life or as an innocent child, we know God saved us because of His amazing grace. We should be grateful. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. bible/116/1ti.1.12.nlt
Posted on: Thu, 12 Sep 2013 09:32:20 +0000
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