Your past is your past… leave it there! Paul is writing to encourage Timothy. He is young but has been found faithful (v2), prophesied over (v18), and raised up to minister (v3). As Paul encourages, he reminds Timothy of the wonderful grace of the Lord.
“although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” I Timothy 1:13-15
Paul is saying his old way of living made him a chief of sinners. All the stuff he did in the past was terrible. BUT GOD!
“However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” I Timothy 1:16
You see that?! The mercy and longsuffering of Jesus is a pattern to more who would come to faith in Him, like Paul. Paul recognized his past, but he also recognized the grace and mercy of Father God! Before Paul goes into his past did you see what he wrote?
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,” I Timothy 1:12
The past is in the past. Give the Lord some praise and thanksgiving for what He saved you from and keep moving forward. Don’t keep looking back at who you were but get immersed in the GRACE, MERCY, and PEACE of our Father and Jesus Christ (v2) in who He has made you to be!
Commit your life to Christ, there is no past He can’t erase, there is no life He can’t transform. World change begins with your life change, and your life change begins with Jesus. Put your faith in Jesus and let Him do the work in you from sinner to saint!
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.