There is More Grace to Come!
1 Tim. 1:14 - “But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
“An artist once submitted a painting of Niagara Falls to an exhibition but neglected to give it a title. The gallery came up with the whimsical words, ‘More to Follow.’ Niagara Falls, which has been spilling over billions of gallons per year for thousands of years and has more than met the needs of those below, is a fit emblem for the floods of God’s grace. There always is more to follow, or as James so beautifully says, “he gives us more grace” (James 4:6a). There always is more grace” (Hughes & Chapell, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: To Guard the Deposit).
The closing verses of 1 Timothy 1 are an outpouring of worship given by a man who knows firsthand how much grace and mercy he has received. Every honest and humble disciple of Jesus should be able to see themselves in Paul’s self-examination.
A life saved by God’s grace is grateful - (1:12-14)
As the phrase “gospel of glory” was written (1 Tim. 1:11), it triggered Paul to recall what that gospel meant to him. In a former season of life Saul was the rapid persecutor of everyone who claimed to follow Jesus of Nazareth. Threats and murder was the oxygen that Saul breathed in those days (Acts 9:1-2)! Condemning Christians to death and pursuing them across the countryside was what he lived for (Acts 26:9-11). It was during one such trip that the violent man was confronted by Jesus himself (Acts 9).
Paul’s summary of his heart during his violent days was proof that he needed God’s mercy. Ignorance and unbelief fueled his hostility. Rather than justifying his decisions, Paul cited these motives as why he needed God to show him mercy!
The grace that overflowed to Paul led to transformation. Instead of living in ignorance, he lived by faith. Instead of spending his life callously destroying God’s people, he led a life of sacrificial love. As someone wrote, “A graced life soars on love and faith” (Hughes).
A life saved by God’s grace desperately wants others to receive it (1:15-16)
Paul consistently saw himself in a way that makes those with pride recoil. People entrenched in the cultural fascination with self-esteem will take issue here. However, Paul’s perspective was firmly grounded in the truths of the gospel. How did he see himself? “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst” (1 Tim. 1:16). Was he exaggerating? I don’t think so. He referred to himself in a similar way in other letters (1 Cor. 15:9; Eph. 3:8). The reason he needed the grace and the mercy that came from Christ is BECAUSE he understand himself to be the worst. Every child of God should have this self-perspective!
When we posses this perspective it not only produces overwhelming gratitude in our lives, it motivates a desire to share the news of this grace with everyone else who needs it. Like a shipwreck survivor who has been rescued from the sea, you want every other soul in the water to be brought safely to harbor. And if God can save the worst (me), then he can save anyone.
“Like a shipwreck survivor who has been rescued from the sea, you want every other soul in the water to be brought safely to harbor. And if God can save the worst (me), then he can save anyone.”
4. A life saved by God’s grace proclaims the glory of the king (1:17)
As Paul reflected on his conversion for the thousandth time, it sparked praise for the one who did it. He used four different phrases to praise the majesty of God.
“King Eternal” God is the sovereign king of all the earth who reigns over every age of history. By his authority nation rise and fall.
“Immortal” God existed before all things and will continue to exist after everything else ends. He does not experience decay or fading.
“Invisible” God is beyond the capacity of our eyes to behold him (1 Tim. 6:16). All anyone has ever seen of God are fractions of his glory.
“The Only God” There is no being like God (Is. 45:18). “He alone is what he is” (Hughes).
APPLICATION:
As you go about your week, make sure to keep an honest and humble perspective of where you were spiritually before receiving the grace and mercy of God that comes from Christ. Let that perspective fuel your gratitude for God, your desire for others to know the gospel of his son, and your praise for the only sovereign King of all!
Your brother and fellow sinner saved by grace,
