Wednesday after the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on September 4, 2024 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
Through faith, St. Paul is aware and honest of his past sins and the grace of God. He does not explain away his mistakes. He accepts the fact that he committed horrible sins that affected others. He also understood that God’s grace toward him was not just about him, but it would also affect others! As Paul had blasphemed and persecuted the faithful, he would in turn be made to humbly serve as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Christ. The Lord brought good blessings in spite of his former sins.
Our Lord does not save us from our sin and guilt just so we can go and do whatever we want. By His grace, through faith worked in us by His Holy Spirit, we are forgiven; but by faith we are also made to be His servants! Everlasting life is a life of praise and service to our God, and it begins in this life. All that we have, all that we are, can be used to proclaim His truth. Just as our Lord healed the sick and infirm, as He forgives our horrible sins, and as He uses even our frailty, such things are to help us grow and teach others to trust in the One who has saved us!
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.
