This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1:15 NABRE
In this opening of this First Letter of Timothy Paul writes about the change in his life that has occurred because of the gospels. He calls himself a blasphemer, persecutor and an arrogant man and was treated mercifully because he did all these things out of ignorance. Paul knows the grace of the Lord is abundant. He speaks of his change from persecutor to believer, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners and Paul was one of the foremost sinners. Paul is thanking the Lord for His grace. Not only has Paul been forgiven but his ministry has been helped by Jesus. Paul is a complete success, in another letter he says he ran the race well. But he knows that Christ is responsible for all his success. The gospel is a personal experience, an encounter with the risen Savior that enables him to be an apostle and proclaim the good news with utter conviction. Christ trusted Paul with the message and Paul was faithful, worthy of that trust. Paul is very pleased with the way things worked out for him and for the mission of Jesus through him. The gospel changed him totally.
The gospels can change us. The message of Jesus is meant to bring us peace, joy and life. Spend a little time with the gospels to help when you have a real life encounter with Jesus. The encounter may be when you are helping at a soup kitchen feed the hungry. It may be when you help someone looking for money. It may be when someone needs an ear to listen to them, perhaps an elderly person who has no one in their life. Following Jesus you will experience Him and you will be changed.
Do you see Jesus in your journey? Do you reach out to the poor?
The message of Jesus is meant to bring us peace, joy and life. Spend a little time with the gospels to help when you have a real life encounter with Jesus. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus#christianity #dailybibleverse@youversion #BeAnEncourager#change #grace #Paul#everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist#jesussaves #godisgood#dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture#bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray#prayer #goodnews #loveeachother#godisgreat #bocaraton #youversion#everythingalways