"But I Received Mercy."

“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. 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.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16 ESV)

The Oxford dictionary defines mercy as: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. As Sinners, we open ourselves up to receive the wrath of God for our sin. However, as Paul tells Timothy, God's mercy is available under certain conditions.

Paul considered himself the greatest sinner because he willingly and zealously persecuted Christ through His believers. If you look at the life of Saul the Pharisee and his conversion to a believer in Christ, it is truly one of the most amazing examples of God’s mercy in the New Testament.

On the road to Damascus (Acts 9), Christ spoke to Saul, blinding him. Confronted by Jesus, Paul knew he was wrong in his beliefs. Christ returned his sight through Ananias and told Paul he would be an apostle to the Gentiles. I ask myself why Jesus blinded Paul. Was it to show Paul he was blind in faith and now physically blind? Did Jesus do this to show Paul is divine and has power, and that the Son of God controlled even him, despite the despicable acts Paul had committed? I think it was Jesus saying, I am real, I am powerful, I am alive, and I am God. Now you are mine and work for me.

Paul was so wicked that Jesus could have easily struck Paul dead. Instead, Jesus showed Paul mercy and love. Paul realized he was wrong about Christ, and the weight of his sin must have been crushing. The change in Paul was miraculous. Unbelievably, not just for Paul but for everyone who knew or knew of Him. Even Ananias was afraid to go to Him when Paul was blinded, but witnessed the change in Paul when he was healed.

This mercy, the mercy of God, is available for every Christian and is new every day. If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, God’s mercy is available to you as well. You simply need to tell Jesus you want Him as your Savior. That you believe He is the risen Son of God. That in his dying on the cross, Jesus paid the price for your sins. Imputing or giving you His righteousness, while taking your sins and bearing them in himself, taking the wrath of God that was rightfully yours. That He rose from the dead in an eternal body, not ghost, not spirit, but in bodily form, ascending into heaven from whence He came and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Proclaim this before Christ, and His grace will open your heart to faith in Him. He will clothe you in righteousness as you pass from death to life as a rightful child of God.

What are you waiting for, a special invitation from Jesus? My friend, you just received it. Take Christ into your heart, before it is too late.

Grace and Peace!