Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 1 Timothy 1:13
Paul opens his letter to Timothy, a young new preacher of the gospel, with encouragement. He points out that he was a horrible, rotten sinner, yet was shown much mercy and grace by God because he had done everything out of ignorance and unbelief.
The majority of the people in the world do not have the proper perspective on who they are or what they are really like. They do not see a need to be saved because they do not believe in sin. Not believing in God will cause a reason to not believe in sin. So people see themselves as a good person or just like everyone else.
There are believers in the church who tend to have the same view of themselves. This can be seen in believers who grew up in the church. They do believe in God and believe in sin, but never really saw themselves as a bad sinner.
Very few people will consider themselves as a blasphemer, persecutor and a violent person. Yet, every believer was these very things at one point in their life. They claimed that they could do anything and did not need God, even talking against God, being a blasphemer. They talked against believers, being a persecutor. And did things selfishly against others, being violent.
Yet, they were shown mercy by God, because most of what they had been doing was done in ignorance or unbelief. God knows that humans act the way they do because they don’t really know the truth–Jesus and God’s word. Jesus accepts and forgives everyone who comes to Him in belief.
As a believer you were once all of these things. Without Jesus you would still be in that position and be that type of person. Yet, Jesus has shown you His great mercy and forgiven you.
Since you have been forgiven, turn away from that type of living. Also realize that the rest of the world still needs to learn this truth. Be ready to show mercy on others, just as Jesus has shown you mercy.
Having the right perspective on who you were and who you are now, helps you know other people correctly. You were changed and saved, they can also be changed and saved.
I pray today that God will reveal to you who you were; that you will know the mercy God has given you; that you will be a changed person in Jesus; that you will show God’s mercy to others; and that God will help you turn from all sin.
Leave a Reply