"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief." (1 Tim. 1:12-13)
After opening with a section on the importance of adhering to sound doctrine, Paul embarks on a praise thanking God for his mercy and grace. Paul first thanks Jesus, his Lord, who has enabled and given Paul the strength to do ministry. Indeed, there are times in a minister's life when he knows full well that God is enabling him to do what needs to be done. Paul knows this too well. For reasons that Paul did not deserve or understand, (as he mentions in the next verse), Christ counted Paul faithful and worthy of serving in the ministry of drawing others to Him.
Paul, like the rest of us, did not deserve this privilege. He notes in the next verse that Christ called him despite the fact that he was a "blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man." Paul not only used to blaspheme and curse Christ's name, he tortured and killed Christians. The world would think that someone with Paul's reputation would never be called by God and even probably deserved Hell more then any other. However, God does not see it that way.
Despite Paul's former life, Christ Jesus extended his grace and mercy to him because Paul acted in his former ways ignorantly because was not a believer. What a testimony that is to all of us! Many people think that they cannot become Christians because they have lived a bad life and done many horrible things. However, Paul makes it clear that it doesn't matter what you have done - you are forgiven for that if you call upon Jesus Christ as your Lord - and that is truly Good News.
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