A Transformed Life
By Emma Danzey
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 1:12-14
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service
We all have a testimony. We all have different paths that God has called us to. Jesus has strengthened us just like He strengthened Paul to write Timothy about what the Lord had done in his own life. What is it that Christ has strengthened you to do in the past? What is He strengthening you for right now? The Lord believed that Paul was faithful and put Him to service. Are we proving to be faithful to God? No one is perfect, but are we willing to be used by Him and molded into His image each day?
To live a transformed life means that we are submitted to the work of the Holy Spirit through prayer and reading Scripture. The Bible is living, active, and powerful. It changes us when we read it, because we are receiving the Word from God. Prayer changes us as we seek that Lord’s will and bring our desires and concerns to Him. He cares for us.
Even though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor.
What were you before you came to Christ? Paul was a blasphemer, persecutor and violent aggressor. These are not qualities I would initially jump at for someone to become an apostle in the church. However, this is what Jesus does. He takes those who were enslaved to sin and brings us into His kingdom purposes, changed by His Spirit in us. God receives glory for His transformative work. We receive new identities in Christ. Paul had a literal name change from Saul to Paul. Jesus changed his entire identity and brought him out of a life of hypocrisy.
Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.
Jesus showed great mercy to Paul because he acted foolishly before he knew Jesus. Do we show others this kind of mercy? Do we remember that others around us are not awakened by the work of the Holy Spirit yet? Do we give grace for them to be on a journey to discovering Jesus too? Jesus remembered that Saul (Later Paul) was a sinner in need of Him, just like we need Him, and everyone else in the world needs Him.
His grace is described as abundant. We have more than enough in Him.
Perhaps you have recently become a follower of Jesus. Maybe you feel under qualified because of your past mistakes? Some of the most faithful and powerfully used believers have come from some of the most horrific backgrounds of sin just like Paul. Maybe you have walked very closely with Christ for a while and need a reminder of how sinful you truly are without the help of the Holy Spirit. Remember that He has washed you whiter than snow too and be careful not to have a judgmental attitude towards the pasts sins of others. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We have become free by Jesus’s sacrifice and resurrection. All of our sins are forgiven.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does thinking about Paul’s transformed life remind you that anything is possible with God to transform your own life? In what ways has Jesus changed you from a sinful thought pattern or lifestyle? Who can you share His transformative work with this week to tell of His great love and forgiveness for them in their life?
Further Reading:
Psalm 25:6
Ephesians 2:4-5
Ephesians 2:8-9
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Brian A. Jackson
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