Even the Worst
This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NLT)
The apostle Paul wrote these words to his friend Timothy, alluding to Paul's attitudes and actions before his encounter with Jesus. Acts 8:1-3 gives a glimpse of how Paul (also known as Saul) was complicit in the death of Stephen, one of the leaders of the early movement of people spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. It tells how Paul sought out the members of the early church, persecuting them and putting them in prison. Paul didn’t hide his background because he wanted people to see the depths of God’s mercy, and he was glad to be an example of God’s love for even the worst of sinners. Paul wanted everyone to have hope that if Jesus would accept Paul and change his life, then Jesus could accept anyone and give them new life.
Many years ago, I began meeting with a few other men to share what was going on in our lives and seek God together. As we started, we agreed to share things from our life stories, both good and bad, and confess sinful thoughts we wanted to bring to the light so that God could transform our hearts. As I shared my past and confessed my thoughts, I was concerned that I might lose the respect of the other men and might even lose my job as a pastor. However, my transparency was met with compassion, understanding and prayer. Then another man shared his past and confessed his struggles, and I thought, Wow, this guy is carrying some heavy stuff. I don't feel so bad after all.
I'm sorry for all that my friend had been through and was currently dealing with. His story of where he had been and how he still needed God to work in him greatly encouraged me. It was a reminder of God’s mercy to him and to me and another sign that God’s power really does work best in our weakness. If God could bring my friend and me from where we had been to where we are today, then certainly He can work in anybody.
God can use your story to encourage others to find hope in Jesus and help them realize that if He can have mercy on you, He can have mercy on anybody. God can also use someone else’s story to help you find some hope that He can truly forgive you.
Application: Tell someone the story of your life before you met Jesus, whether that was a long time ago or even today. Then, share what’s different since you've met Jesus. Or ask someone else to tell you the story of their life before meeting Jesus and how they’re different today.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the mercy You have shown me. Help me to sense how much You love me today.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?