Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 347: God's Mercy, Jesus' Sacrifice

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read 1 Timothy 1-6.

Paul had a lot to discuss in this letter to Timothy, but I'm only going to cover one part today. There are some other points in this letter that warrant further discussion, so stay tuned for individual blog posts on those.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 - I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul declares himself to be the worst of sinners. He persecuted the church. He killed believers of Jesus Christ. He blasphemed God. He upheld a false interpretation of God's word.

And yet, God forgave Paul, and Paul went on to preach God's word and saw many people saved, and gave instruction to many churches.

Paul's sins were great, but God's mercy was greater.

God's forgiveness and mercy are not limited. As humans, we have to limit everything. Our minds cannot comprehend the limitless. And so we try to put God in our box of limits.

But He is not inhibited as we are. His mercy knows no limits. When we repent, He forgives. When we seek mercy, He gives it.

A hundred times over.

Even for such as Paul, who persecuted God's own people.

And the same is true for you and me. God's mercy knows no limits. We mess up. We have sinned. And yet He forgives us. All we have to do is ask. There is no secret ritual or great punishment. Jesus took the punishment on Himself so that we would not have to bear it. Jesus Himself will stand beside us at the judgment day, and when our sins are read out, He will say "I paid the cost for that. This child of Mine is clean."

Isn't that wonderful?

If you don't know Jesus as your Savior today, and you want to, there is no secret formula or prayer.

But if you don't know how to get started, just ask Him to come and be the Lord of your life. Ask Him to enter your heart and cleanse you, and forgive you of your sins.

And that's all there is to it. It's just a plea for mercy.

This isn't a magical formula either. It's still a daily choice to choose God over sin, and sometimes it's hard. But you can do it. Paul did it. And I do it. We all mess up sometimes, but choosing God is the best decision, because His mercy abounds.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 2 Timothy 1-4.