A Life of Thanks-Giving预览

Saved and Called

If I were ever to have an argument with the great Apostle Paul, it  would be  about a statement he makes in our passage for today.

Paul is full of thanks to the God who saved him and appointed him to His service. In his explanation of this, Paul calls himself "the worst of sinners." I think many of us would argue that maybe we ourselves are worthy of this title!

But Paul doesn't dwell on his sin, he dwells on the Saviour. Look at how he explains it:

• "He has given me strength" (in other words, I did not have enough!).
• "He considered me faithful" (Paul did not prove himself) God imputed (planted/drew out) faithfulness in Paul.
• "Even though was I a terrible person" (Blasphemer, Persecutor and Violent).
• "I was shown mercy" (The passive voice implies that Paul was a recipient - in spite of ignorance and unbelief - of mercy that he did not earn.).
• "Grace was poured out abundantly" (Along with faith and love.).

In the second part Paul is saying "You can bank on the fact that:

• Jesus saves sinners
• I'm a big sinner
• and so this proves that Jesus is patient 
• and generous in giving eternal life
• to us if we believe."

If I really were to have that argument with Paul, I think he'd say: "It doesn't really matter who the bigger sinner is, what matters most is that God's forgiveness is even bigger than all our sins." The last verse in our reading is a doxology (an outpouring of praise and thanks). 

Read our passage and allow yourself to be caught up in the great joy of His forgiveness and love!

And give thanks!