1 Timothy 1:12-20

1 Timothy 1:12-20 (New Living Translation)
Paul’s Gratitude for God’s Mercy 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, 13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.
15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners“—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. Timothy’s Responsibility 18 Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. 19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 20 Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.
Devotional: Paul’s heart in this passage is simply incredible, and we should all strive for this heart. Paul is just so thankful that he has the strength and talents to do God’s work, and he is completely aware of the mercy that God had shown him. God chose Paul, a man who used to persecute Christians, to show mercy to and to use him to spread the news of Jesus Christ. What a turn around! And Paul, completely aware of this, is so thankful. He is thankful of 1) the mercy God gave him and 2) the talents and abilities to do God’s work. These two go hand in hand, for why wouldn’t we want to give back our talents and lives to the one who has given us mercy beyond what we can comprehend! What better a way to give back to God than to use what He has given us to spread the good news that is the message of Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Father, we thank you for the mercy you show us on a daily basis. It is something we will never fully understand or comprehend the weight of, but we just feel so blessed to have it upon our lives. Lord, help us to always be reminded of this mercy so that we can gladly and with all of our hearts give back to you in any way we can. Let our entire lives be for your glory and to serve you. We love you. Amen.