1 Timothy 1:12-17
I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience as an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (NIV)
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Of course, we would all say. Tell us something we don’t know Paul. Well, if Paul were to tell us, his story is pretty convincing. I hunted down those who believed in Jesus and threw them in jail! I conspired with the religious leaders who were against Stephen and even held the coats of those in the crowd who stoned him. I cursed the name of Jesus! Paul’s description of himself as one of the worst sinners is hard to argue with and yet, even he was forgiven.
My first job out of college was working for the Work Release Program for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and ultimately at the Women’s Work Release Center for several years as the Job Placement Counselor. In this position I came in contact with women who had been abused mentally and physically and coerced into criminal activity by a man in their life. My opinion of the role men played in women’s incarceration was pretty condemning.
So I had to think about it for a minute when I learned of groups that provide abusive partner intervention to “develop responsibility, healing, and hope for themselves, their families, and their communities” (https://www.innovatingjustice.org/resources/abusive-partner-accountability-engagement/). My thoughts had always been about victim support and rehabilitation while the perpetrators were the evil ones that deserved to be punished. Could I see them as worthy of God’s grace? Could this be an example of living out Jesus’ healing – “salvation” – for those who have committed violent offenses, in this case abuse and coercion of women? Could their lives be changed as Paul’s life was changed?
I don’t mean to suggest that God’s forgiveness, mercy and grace are not gifts in themselves that can transform us. Rather, I’d like to think that we can be an instrument that God uses to help make that transformation possible. There are times, in each of our lives, when we need God’s transforming grace. How beautiful it is to think that we can be part of that transformation for each other.
Questions for Reflection:
- How have you personally experienced God’s forgiveness?
- How does God’s grace affect the way you view other people?
- How can you grow in your faith and service to God and others?
Prayer:
Grace-filled God, Thank you for Paul’s message of unimaginable grace and the assurance of that grace for each of us. Even though it is so much easier to judge and condemn, help us to see each person as worthy of your grace and guide us as we share your love and mercy to bring that grace to all people. Amen.
Login To Leave Comment