12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus
our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and
insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in
unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the
faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying
is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as
the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to
those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the
only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
It's not
unusual for people to question God when something bad happens in their lives.
Even people who don't confess faith in God will question Him when they have to
suffer through hardship or loss. But it's a rare occurrence to find people
questioning God when good things happen to them. While crying out "Why did this happen to
me?" in difficult circumstances is accepted and understood by us, we would
think it odd for someone to cry this out when something good happens in his
life. Yet, if we don't take the time to question why God has been so gracious
and kind to us we're likely to misunderstand or miss altogether His purpose in
showing us such favor. When we fail to consider God's reason for filling our
lives with good things we are prone to take His mercy, grace, and love for
granted -- or even squander them.
The
Apostle Paul deeply reflected upon the mercy that God had shown to him. He
recognized that he was a sinner. He even thought of himself as the
"foremost" of sinners, that is, the worst kind of sinner. Paul was
convinced of this because, in addition to all of the sins that he had in common
with us, he had persecuted the Church as "a blasphemer, persecutor, and
insolent opponent." Paul questioned why God would show mercy to him after
he had sinned against Him in such terrible ways. Then Paul came to understand
God's purpose. He said "I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as
the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to
those who were to believe in Him for eternal life."
The
reason that God showed mercy, grace, and love to Paul is the same reason that
God shows mercy, grace, and love to you. He has chosen you and called you to be
His instrument so that others "would believe in Him for eternal
life." The mercy, grace, and love that God has shown you by blessing you
with the things that you possess have been given to you for this purpose. The
mercy, grace, and love that God has shown you by giving you your talents and
abilities have been given to you for this purpose. The mercy, grace, and love
that God has shown you in providing you with family, friends, and other caring
people have been given to you for this purpose. Whether you are rich or poor,
important or insignificant, popular or shunned, young or old, married or single
— whatever ways God has shown you His mercy, grace, and love — you are what you
are and you have what you have so that others can know and receive the
incomparable riches that Christ has won for them.
The
reason for God's mercy is clear and simple. It's the same reason whether you
are enjoying life and not questioning God or if you are struggling in life and
pleading with God for an explanation. Whatever your circumstances may be, you
have received God's mercy to make use of His mercy for His glory. Whoever you
have been and whatever you have done, you have received the mercy, grace, and
love of Christ. Why? That in you, a sinner who has fallen short of God's glory
but are now redeemed and reconciled through the forgiveness purchased with His
blood, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those
people in your life -- past, present, and future -- whom "the King of the
ages, immortal, invisible, the only God" has chosen to believe in Him for
eternal life. This is His reason for mercy.
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