Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Wednesday after the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday

Posted on September 8, 2021 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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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
 
Paul was a man of extremes. Whether he was a preacher of the Law as a Jew, or whether he preached the Law and the Gospel as a Christian, Paul preached both Law and Gospel to the extreme. This is evident in his teaching. When we hear Paul talking about sin, as we do in this passage, it is not surprising that Paul would claim to be the chief of sinners.
 
After his conversion, true to his extreme styles, Paul was an extreme Christian. The Lord converted him from one who believed the Law could save him to one who believed that salvation is given through grace, God’s undeserved pardon. That is indeed a very radical change. So, even though Paul was at the same time a sinner and a saint—even though he would continue to sin by doing the things he did not want to do and not doing the things he wanted to do—Paul believed that God’s abundant grace would cover his sins.
 
Paul knew that Christ Jesus had come to be the Savior of the world; He had come into the world to save sinners like himself. Paul gave all his praise to Christ the King for this abundant grace. So also do we. Oh Lord, we praise you, we worship and adore you. Amen.
 
Prayer: 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.
 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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