What We Once Were Vs. What We Are in the Grace of Christ

¹²I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.1 Timothy 1:13-14

     I don’t really follow horse racing, but I recently saw the replay of this year’s Kentucky Derby finish. Long shot Golden Tempo made an incredible stretch run, coming from dead last to win by a nose.

     The Bible is full of spiritual long shots. Ruth was a foreigner. Abraham was born in a family of idolaters from a pagan land. David was the youngest son in the family and overlooked by . . . . them all. Mary and Joseph were a humble young couple from a little town called Nazareth. All were reached by God’s grace and strengthened for their callings.

     Maybe no example is more stunning than the apostle Paul. He had been a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man. His gifts, energy, and zeal were once aimed against Christ and his church. Yet Jesus showed him mercy. Christ strengthened him. Christ appointed him to service. That is grace.

     Who of us has a spotless record before God? Some may have wandered farther than others, but all of us were born sinful and in need of rescue. All of us need the redemption Jesus won by his death and resurrection. And in baptism, God has washed us, claimed us, and called us his own. The grace of the Lord has been poured out on us abundantly too.

     Reflect on his mercy to you personally. The grace of our Lord was poured out on you abundantly, too. Whatever your past, in Christ you are forgiven. You are strengthened. You are appointed to serve. Go with confidence in the God who turned your life around.