1 Timothy 1: 12-17
Beloved:
I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord,
because he considered me trustworthy
in appointing me to the ministry.
I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and arrogant,
but I have been mercifully treated
because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.
Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant,
along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Of these I am the foremost.
But for that reason I was mercifully treated,
so that in me, as the foremost,
Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example
for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.
To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God,
honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord,
because he considered me trustworthy
in appointing me to the ministry.
I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and arrogant,
but I have been mercifully treated
because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.
Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant,
along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Of these I am the foremost.
But for that reason I was mercifully treated,
so that in me, as the foremost,
Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example
for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.
To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God,
honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
I am a man who has walked in the shadow of darkness. I am
friends with the murderer, the prostitute, the adulterer, the lair, the thief,
and the cheat. I, myself, have done many of these things and more. I am not
worthy nor deserving of the mercy I have received. If God were solely a just
God I would be cast into the abyss for all eternity to rot for the things I
have done.
And yet the Lord has called me out of darkness. He has
washed me clean of my iniquities. He has put me on a righteous path and guides
my steps. I have renounced the man I used to be and have committed myself to
his service.
Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost.
Lord, guide my steps, that they always follow the narrow
way. Guide my thoughts that they only be of you. Guide my words that they always
be soft and full of love. And guide my deeds that they always reflect your love
for all mankind. Make of me a lantern to carry the light of your love to all
those still in darkness. My life is yours to wield as you will.
To the king
of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and
ever. Amen.
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