Abundant Grace

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:12-14)

Paul was a living, breathing example of God’s abundant grace.

Do you know Paul’s story? In his own words, he was once “a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man.” Sound good? No way! Paul, also known as Saul, was trained as a Pharisee and vigorously persecuted followers of Jesus. When a Christian man named Stephen was stoned to death, Paul “approved of their killing him” (Acts 8:1).

Unfortunately, that one Christian’s death didn’t satisfy his rage against Jesus. Paul kept on “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” (Acts 9:1).

If you were God, what would you have done with Paul? It seems simple: Destroy him! Put him to death and send him straight to hell. That’s what Paul deserved for a life of persecuting Jesus and his followers.

Yet, what did God do with Paul? Instead of punishing him, God appointed Paul to his service. God took the greatest enemy of Jesus, forgave him, and made him into his greatest missionary.

There’s a word for that: Grace. Grace is the undeserved love that God shows for sinners like Paul and like you and me. We have a God of grace, and not just a little grace. Paul wrote, “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” Paul was a living, breathing example of God’s abundant grace.

God has that same grace—that same undeserved love—for you. Your past is filled with sins too, isn’t it? Maybe you’re guilty of blaspheming God or of violence or of ignoring God and his Word. Like Paul, you and I deserve to be punished for our sins. Yet, what does God show us? Grace. Abundant grace in Christ Jesus our Savior.

Let Paul’s personal story encourage your heart. No matter what you have done, you are not too far gone. God loves you. He loves you very much! Take comfort in God’s abundant grace.

Dear Jesus, I don’t deserve your love. Like Paul, I have too often lived my life against you. Thank you for your grace. Forgive and strengthen me, so that I can spend my whole life in your service. Amen.

Pastor Nathan