Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Devotion: The Reason for Mercy (1 Timothy 1:12-17)


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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