1 Timothy 1:12-14
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. 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.
Tag: Overflowing Thanks for Your Salvation
Paul, just prior to the above passage, started this little "pastoral letter" (he is writing to young Pastor Timothy) with a warning to false teachers. He is teaching Timothy what to do if you encounter false teaching in the church. However, the verse just before briefly mentions the Gospel, the standard for teaching:
1 Timothy 1:11
... in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
That brief statement (I have been entrusted) caused Paul to breakout in praise and thanksgiving for his salvation, call to service and relationship with Christ. Paul had no issues praising God for his salvation. each of his letters has a sense of praise and worship for what God did for him. In this letter to Timothy he especially wanted the young pastor to remember Paul's formal life. He WAS blasphemous, a persecutor of the church and an insolent opponent of the Gospel. Yet, Paul received grace and mercy and an overflowing of God's love, supplying faith to Paul to believe. Breaking out in praise for our salvation ought to be a natural thing. God wants our praise and saved us for it. Our natural walk with Him ought to cause us to burst forth with praise and love and worship. If not, we may have something we have put in place of Him. God wants our praise and, because of what He has done for us, we out to burst out.
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