Day 989: Reasons for hope - 1 Timothy 1 vs 12 - 17

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. 15 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. 16 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. 17 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:12-17 English Standard Version

At the start of this letter the apostle Paul said to Timothy: “When I was going to Macedonia, I urged you to remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” He had gone on to list a number of the terrible things that ungodly people do, things which God's law declare to be sinful. So does that mean that Paul considered himself to be a better person than others? (vs 12-14)

No. Even though he had been a devoutly religious person, he says he had been an enemy of Jesus Christ. Jesus had been like a swear word for him, and he had attacked Christians. But what did he say was one reason why God hadn't struck him down in his rebellious days?

He says it was because he did those wrong things through ignorance. He hadn't realized who Jesus really was, and why God had sent Him into a world full of people who did so much wrong. This reminds me of how, while He was being crucified, Jesus prayed “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Like many, many others, Paul benefited from that prayer.

But does this mean that, when we face God's judgment one day, we can plead ignorance for our sins? Well, in another letter, Paul said that “all who have sinned without the law will perish without the law - and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.” (Romans 2:12) He also said that all people have a conscience, and God will judge our secret thoughts by Christ Jesus. (Romans 2:16). So ignorance of God's will doesn't give us a free pass on judgment day, but it should give us a reason for hope while we are still in this world! What did Paul come to see was the wonderful reason why God sent Jesus Christ into our sin filled world? (vs 15)

It was so that sinful men and women could be saved from the righteous punishment they deserved. And this was a message intended even for the worst of sinners. One of the two men crucified alongside Jesus admitted that he deserved the punishment he was receiving. He was a criminal. But he cried out to Jesus for mercy from God's judgment, and Jesus promised him a place with the righteous. That man hadn't been ignorant of God's laws, but had chosen to disobey them. Yet he too found mercy in God's sight because of Jesus. This illustrates a second reason why sinners can have hope of being forgiven even the worst of evil deeds. Paul said: “I received mercy . . . 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.”

We don't know how deep and dark the crimes were of the man crucified alongside Jesus. As for Paul, he himself says he had been a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. Yet they both found mercy because Jesus Christ gave His blameless life as a sacrifice for sinners. What should the response be of a man or woman who experienced such forgiveness? (vs 17)

Heartfelt praise and honour to the immortal God, who is from all eternity, and who endures forever. Yes, He is invisible, but has shown the world what He is like in the person of Jesus Christ. And through Jesus we can have good reason for the hope of forgiveness and salvation. Even the worst of us!