1 Timothy 1:12-17, September 11-17, Year C:

In this passage of this first epistle to the young pastor Timothy, Paul gives thanks for the mercy and grace shown to him by God. He is thankful that God put him in the ministry, though he was formerly a blasphemer. But he says that the reason he was enabled by God was because the apostle's persecution of the church and of Christ was done in ignorance. He affirms that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom "I am chief." The apostle believes that he is to show long-suffering, as a pattern for those who will later come to believe in Christ. Then of course, the passage closes with one of the most powerful, beautiful, and all-encompassing verses of benediction in all of Scripture. God's grace relates directly to our weakness, His pardon to our sin. Paul stresses in this chapter that it is not important just to know the gospel, but also to believe it. It is God who enables ministry, but not simply for the purpose of winning arguments. (One commentator reminds us that "argument does not prove spirituality.") God can transform anyone. Though we are unworthy, God still graciously calls us to Christian duty and gives us responsibilities in His service. As we minister and serve God in the 21st century, some are reluctant to use terms such as "God" or "grace." To the apostle, grace is everything; and we represent God's mercy and grace to a lost and dying world. It is God and His grace, and the communication of these concepts, that distinguishes the church from all other institutions. This is our unique contribution to the well-being and "rightness" of the world. God's grace is glorious. We proclaim the wonder of God's grace. We can affirm with Paul by example that "if I can be saved, anyone can be." In an impersonal and intense world, people need relationships--relationships with God through Christ and with other loving and caring people. The church is incarnational in the sense that, for many people, we are the only evidence of God's grace that they will ever see. Some today like to showcase their sin. But the only reason to recount our sin is to show the power of God's mercy and grace toward us. We are to point people to Christ, not to ourselves. This passage also highlights the majesty of God, especially in 1:17. God alone is capable of such grace and of dealing with the incomprehensible brokenness we see throughout His creation. Computer technology, science, physics, and "New Age" philosophy all pose challenges for the believing Christian. When we consider, however, the natural world and the capabilities God has given His creatures, these problems should not concern us. Think about the capacity of your own mind, the homing instincts of certain animal species, and even the design of the universe. The existence of God and the validity of His Scriptures should pose no problem to the Christian. God is truly the Majestic King-- eternal, immortal, invisible, all-wise, who alone is worthy of our worship and praise. How could we even imagine that our modern concepts are any match for an eternal God? We need not fear the new century so long as we worship,through Jesus Christ, the eternal God and King.