1 Timothy 1:15-17
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. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Tag: The Greatest God with the Longest Patience
The above passage is written from Paul to Timothy, who Paul had asked to stay in Ephesus. Timothy’s charge was to make sure that doctrine was well protected and the ignorant among them did not distort the Gospel message. In the process of writing and charging Timothy, Paul writes the above words. He is making sure Timothy has a first hand example of the impact of the “Gospel.” God, says Paul, saved him, an example of the “foremost” of sinners to show God’s “perfect patience.” In the explanation of God’s “act” of saving Paul, we also reached an explanation of God’s “character.” God is “the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God ...”. Because He is the God of the ages, He CAN save Paul. Because He is the God of the ages, He wants to save Paul. But, because He is the God of the ages, He is patient enough toward Paul (and us) to see us come to repentance. Being the God of Gods, does not exempt God from His character. He must stay within His character. He is “perfect” in patience. The word means, “absolute or in every way.” We can rejoice that God is great and patience toward us. This is the same patience we read in Galatians about the Fruit the Spirit of God is produces in and through us. God not only is patience, He wants us to be patience with others.
No comments:
Post a Comment