“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Sometimes we wonder, because of our utter sinfulness, if God can forgive us and accept us as His own dear children. When we consider going to the Lord’s Table, we wonder if He will accept us and give us a blessing – forgiveness and life eternal – rather than the cursing and condemnation we deserve under God’s law. And so, today, I direct your attention to the Apostle Paul.

God was indeed merciful to Saul of Tarsus (we know him as the Apostle Paul), for he was a persecutor of the Church of Jesus Christ! Being zealous for the Jewish Faith, but misguided, he spoke against the Lord Jesus Christ and arrested, imprisoned and even put to death followers of Jesus (Read Acts 7:58; 8:1-3; 9:1-2).

But the Lord Jesus showed mercy to Saul when He met him on the road to Damascus and then washed away Saul’s sins through Holy Baptism (Acts 9:3ff.; 22:16).

When the risen and ascended Christ converted Saul and made him Paul, a preacher of the Gospel, he could testify: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”

Paul testified to the truth that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. And Paul qualified; he was a sinner, one who even persecuted Christ and His Church!

Paul could also say, “If He could be merciful to me and save me, He can also show mercy to you and grant to you salvation.”

What a comfort this truth is to sinners like you and me! “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” And, as sinners, we know that Christ Jesus came into the world to save us! He paid the penalty for the sins of all.

By His holy life and innocent sufferings and death on the cross, Jesus has redeemed you and me – He paid in full the punishment for our sins – that God might be merciful unto us and grant to us eternal salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, His Son (John 3:16; Col. 1:19-23; 2:11-15; Titus 3:3-7).

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You for coming into the world and redeeming us, and for having mercy upon us and bringing us to faith in You and Your atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. Graciously keep us in Your mercy throughout our earthly lives that we may receive the eternal joys which You have purchased for us when You shed Your holy and precious blood upon the cross for our sins. Amen.

[Scripture quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]