8/9/24

1 Timothy 1:13-14 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.

Do you remember being any of these things above? Maybe it isn't hard to remember because you are still these things. Maybe you look at these and say I am not any of these. I have never blasphemed, persecuted, or been violent against Christ or His people. Let's look at them briefly. Blasphemer means to mock by denying Him, ridiculing His power, or using wicked speech about God or His name. Persecutor, this word in the Greek is not found anywhere else in the Bible. It comes from a root word meaning to cause to run, expel, or chase after. The exact meaning is not known completely but because of the root it is believed to have something to do with pursuing. Last is violent aggressor, this means to be arrogant with force, with the possibility of causing physical harm.

Maybe we have been guilty of one or maybe all of these at some point in life.

Paul because of these sins calls himself chief of sinners. We might disagree with him. No matter what we must realize that we are guilty. However, God doesn't leave us hanging in our sin with no hope. Instead, Paul shows us that the grace of our Lord is more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. We in our blasphemous, persecuting aggression against others and God can still be forgiven if we will seek it in Christ. Have you ever doubted God? Have you ever ridiculed one of His creation? Have you ever been arrogant? If you say no to the first two you are guilty of the third. However, God's Grace is more than abundant. He is willing to provide us with faith and love if we will live in Christ.

Praying you find this in Him today.

Love Bro. Scott