1st Timothy 1:16. “Howbeit for this cause, I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe in him to life everlasting.”
IN ME FIRST. There is no point in my telling others of a life That is full of meaning and purpose, if I’m involved in strife Over things I think are important, but to others it is not so – If I push on them my opinion, they’ll just get up and go.
People have a right to expect to see Christ lived in me – As a pattern to them as a Christian, and what they want to be. New believers need to see the life of Christ in the flesh – So they can pattern their lives in truth and righteousness.
I have enjoyed mercy when I deserved condemnation; So, in me, there should be some joy as evidence of daily salvation In that I am delivered from judgment and from the awful power of sin By the ungrieved, gracious Holy Spirit who now is dwelling within.
Often, I watch younger Christians, and I wonder if they Can see something of Christ as evidence in what I do and say. I wonder if the expressions they can see coming across my face Reveal my appreciation of God’s great love and His grace.
Is there in me some challenge that they can truly see – Showing that it is possible on earth to be what God wants me to be? Is there love for souls around that can actually be seen in my face – So that they rise to the challenge also of filling up my place?
I have to face the fact that now I am getting older And it is not possible to lead the same or other’s burdens shoulder In the same way as in the past, God allowed me the privilege to bear – Can those who see me first see a life they can really share?
I have obtained mercy, and I have learned a lot of things – I have experienced many of the blessings that serving God brings. Now may I pass on with compassion all that I know is real – As a pattern to those who follow, so they like compassion will feel.
“Father, as I go into the activities of this day, may I show Christ-likeness, and then in events of the day show a godly interest. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
A hymn of praise to the King is always appropriate when one is appreciating all Christ has done for us and is doing through us. What Paul used to be: a blasphemer who denied the deity of Christ, a persecutor who used physical power to destroy Christians, and an injurious person who was proud and insolent. Now Paul was saved, because of exceeding abundant grace [13b-15], producing a super increase of faith, [2Thes.1:3], enabling God to work with superabounding power, [Eph. 1:9] making His servants super conquerors, [Rom.8:37]. Paul became [1:12,16] entrusted, enabled, and an example of one to whom God showed mercy and acted in grace by His sovereign design. The sovereignty of the King eternal is never going to diminish, nor will it ever change. To give honor is to express value for that which lies beyond our ability to express. Glory is an estimation of something or someone that states our opinion. Our opinion of God is expressed in praise and adoration, and this will never change, nor will our appreciation of what God has done for us ever cease.