Who will God save?

1 Timothy 1

Timothy, that young man that joined Paul and Barnabas in Lystra. He is now Pastoring the church in Ephesus.

Paul calls him “a true son in the faith”.

This is a tough town. It’s where Paul & Silas got thrown into prison for setting a slave girl free from her demonic possession. Then they had church in chains and were set free by a God Ordained earthquake.

Paul was asked to leave the city but he sent Timothy back in.

This letter is advice to pastor in the thick of it and to a young man living in a sensual city.

We’ll get to the advice later, I was impressed with this in my reading this morning.

Paul sums up his life and ministry I chapter 1.

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

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Yes Paul, what you said. To the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Yes.

The gospel equalizes us all. We are all sinners who need a savior. Jesus has died for all of us. The state of grace, being forgiven, is a confession of need and an acceptance of his gift away.

Who will God save? He saved me. Has he saved you yet? He wants to. He wants all of us to come to him. That’s why he sent Jesus, he sent Jesus to save each one of us. He won’t give up on us until we are done with life.

 

(Originally posted 11/06/15)