October 4, 2022

1 Timothy 1:11-17 (HCSB)
11 based on the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.
Paul’s Testimony
12 I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry— 13 one who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” —and I am the worst of them. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Casey Morton 
Paul points out that God appointed him to the ministry. Ministry can maybe best be defined as service. We see it day in and day out with our staff. When we see someone called to the ministry, we are not usually surprised as much because we see them as already serving God. Paul, on the other hand, was not. And far from it. He was the “chief sinner”, a blasphemer and one who persecuted Christians. The beautiful thing, to me anyway, is that Paul’s horrible past (and it was terrible) did not disqualify him from serving God. When God calls you into His family, He will not continually bring up your past and remind you of it. The same goes for sin. When you ask Him to forgive you, He takes that sin and casts them into the deepest sea, never to be brought up again (Micah 7:19). Is there a sin you are needing forgiveness for today? He’s always available!!