1st Timothy 1:12. “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” INTO THE MINISTRY. It is not just skill that makes one able to serve God – He is the One who enables. He has a right to expect me to be faithful to the Lord – And gives gifts that I might be capable Of doing His will in the way He chooses – He doesn’t leave me to do it on my own. The ministry God gave has divine purposes – So the glory is reserved for God alone.
It is a great privilege to be entrusted with a work God feels I am able to fulfill. When I realize the value of giving until it really hurts – And I am able to continue in it still – It gives great satisfaction to know there is a definite reason God brought this special ministry to me, So that I could have a part to labor in this harvest season, And lasting results are what I am waiting to see.
I am glad when I can see some blessing that has been brought To those God called me to minister to. Whether it is physical work or lessons to be taught – The results are there to see from what I was able to do. It doesn’t matter what other people may think –
God, for His own reasons, has enabled me. And it is only right that I, for His glory seek – God Himself made this ministry to be.
“I am not worthy, Father, to be a part of this great work I am in. But I thank Thee that Thou hast given me the privilege of being associated with divine things. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Paul was condemned as a blasphemer and injurious person, who treated the believers in the same way men treated our Lord Jesus. As a man who was knowledgeable of the law, he was willing to confess his ignorance and unbelief. One who is not a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and has never understood nor accepted the truth of the Gospel has never been enlightened by the Holy Spirit. No man can give the light of God's truth apart from the Holy Spirit of God. God, in grace, showed Paul mercy, not wrath and righteous judgment. Grace, surpassing all others' favors, accompanies faith and love that brings a new relationship. That makes a new creation and presents a new man in Christ Jesus, who is accepted by the righteous God, "in the Beloved." God’s abundant grace to Paul replaced his ignorance and unbelief with faith and love. God forgave Paul, and he did not live a guilt-driven life because of what he had done in the past. There is no reason for a person redeemed by the grace of God to spend time regretting their past, where there is nothing they can do to change it. Anything that happened in our lives before we were saved, that we cannot do anything about to make better, we leave to the mercy of God. When giving a public testimony, give just enough about your background to let people know you did not consider yourself to be fit for heaven without salvation. Some people say, "I know I have not been perfect, but basically I am a good person." That person is deceiving themselves or has been deceived.