But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Job 16:5 (NIV)
| The Worst by Cathy Vinson |
Paul asks that we "fully
accept" a fact: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I
(Paul) AM THE WORST." We can tend to think of Paul's former life as even
righteousness: a lawful, zealous Pharisee. But the GREATER truth he knew all too well were
his sins, even close to blaspheming of the Holy Spirit. Others had sinned lawlessly; he
had sinned with violence and blasphemy SOLELY against the name of Jesus. To see this
correctly, Paul was a not a righteous man who only became more righteous by faith in
Christ. He was in fact "the worst." Why must we see him as the worst? So that we might share in the grace "poured out abundantly" on him. God intended to display Paul as an encouragement TO US. A blasphemer called to Apostleship--what an exaltation! And what could explain it! Only the sweet grace Paul desperately depended upon. It becomes easier to grasp Paul's passion towards God's grace. As we feel too unlovely for God's love, so it was natural for Paul to see himself as too unlovable. Think of the scenes of meek, loving Christians he led to torture and slaughter, the happy Christian homes marred by the deaths he instigated. He could be tormented by these images the rest of this life. It would be "hard" to believe he was righteous; it would take effort. Oh, how he had to draw tangibly from God's mercy! "I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him" (1 Tim 1:16). "for those"...that's you and me. God knew our struggle to see ourselves as righteous and gave us an example to lovingly encourage us. He does have unlimited patience. Paul drew from it; God intends that we draw from it, too. He had to effect this grace into his life to accept himself as an Apostle of the One he persecuted. We, too, stand before God's appointment to service. Let us effect that same grace into our lives joyfully, allowing it to "pour out abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 1:14). |
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"I am the worst..." (1 Tim 1:15,16) |
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Send a note to Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion.
Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions are found HERE
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