The Wednesday after the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on September 24, 2025 by under
Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (NKJV)
1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 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. 16 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. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Devotion
Perhaps more than anyone else, St. Paul can live his own words from Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Certainly, Paul must have marveled at the depths of his sin, which were overcome by an even greater measure of God’s grace in Christ. How much more so, then, for the likes of every one of us. Our Lord not only has the power, but also the patience and desire to bring us into His fold.
How can this be effected? Paul tells us in verse 15 of today’s reading: “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.” Here is the atonement, in which our hope resides. Christ left His throne on high that He might become our perfect replacement under the Law and give Himself unto death in payment for the world’s sin. This active and passive obedience serves as the cornerstone of our faith—the rock to which we cling.
Collect: Keep, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy Church with Thy perpetual mercy; and, because the frailty of man without Thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by Thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
