11 September 2021
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, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:15-17, (NRSV)
The author of this letter continues to give thanks for God’s free and unconditional gift of grace in his life. It is as if he cannot emphasise or say enough on this subject. He wants the people hearing these words to recognise that if he, the “foremost” of sinners was shown patience and mercy, that they could aspire to receive these as well. In the case of the apostle Paul, Christ’s patience was very evident. Paul’s “Damascus experience” may have brought him to a point of conversion, but Christ had been working in Paul’s life before, during and after this event accompanying him through his long journey from persecutor to apostle.
- Why was Christ’s patience important to the author of this letter?
- What is your experience of the patience of Christ?
Give thanks for any undeserved mercy you have received. On this the twentieth anniversary of “9/11”, you may also wish to pray for those still suffering as a consequence of what they experienced.
