“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:16)
“If God can save that guy, he can save anyone.” Maybe you’ve heard that idea applied to a murderer or a rapist or a drug dealer. But that’s not quite what Paul was saying here. He wasn’t talking about who God “can” save – God can save anyone he wants to, right? – Paul is talking about who God is willing to save.
If God is willing to save even a guy who rejected faith in Jesus, a guy who participated in killing Christians, a guy thirsty for the blood of Jesus-followers, then the grace of God must be huge. It must be bigger than we imagined. His patience must be “unlimited,” outlasting even the worst of all my repeated sins.
Paul’s salvation was a billboard for the grace of God. His message was his life: “Believe on Jesus and receive eternal life no matter what you’ve done. God forgives it all.”
Think: Is your life a billboard for the grace of God? If you are a Christian, how could your life NOT be a billboard for the grace of God?
Pray: Thank Jesus for his mercy, for his unlimited patience, and for the gift of eternal life for all who believe on him.
Do: Write 2 or 3 sentences describing how your life is evidence of the grace of God.