A few reminders...

I was reading through 1 Timothy this morning and came across this passage written by Paul to his young protege Timothy. In it he reminds Timothy of a few things that perhaps had slipped his mind. Listen to what Paul reminds Timothy of and take heed in your own life as the Spirit moves.

1 Timothy 1:12-16 says, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life."

Reminder #1 - God is choosing to use you despite how badly you may have screwed up in the past. His work in your life has 0% to do with what you've done or how you've acted. It's 100% grace and power supplied by Him alone. Paul uses himself as the consummate example of this as one who used to not only reject the way of the Lord but actively sought ways to stop the Movement. Regardless of your past, God can still use you. 

Reminder #2 - Jesus came to save sinners. Any reading of the Scripture makes this obvious. Few would disagree with the mission of Jesus but where we pull up short is the next step, that as believers it should also become our mission to do the same. What have you allowed to become your mission? Getting married? Having kids? Providing for your family? Advancing your career? Preparing for retirement? Promoting some other agenda? These are all things that are perhaps permissible but not the forefront mission of the believer. We are called to also seek and save those that are lost. Again Paul uses himself as the example, he wanted others to see him as an example of what God could offer them. Patience. Forgiveness. Mercy. 

Scripture is packed full of gentle and sometimes not so gentle reminders of what the believer is called to be about. Make it a priority to subject yourself to the TRUTH of GOD'S WORD on a regular basis. Be encouraged and keep moving forward. 

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