I Timothy 1: 13-14
I 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.
Paul has provided the most effective testimony here - that is to contrast the past and the present, the same technique used in today's advertisements. "What was in the past and what is at the present!": such as those weight reduction ads, they all show weight contrasts between the past and present; same is true to those hair growth ads - hair before and after the applications. Wow! People are all amazed and wanted to buy these terrific products.
In giving this testimony, Paul reminded us that he was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious before, but now he has received mercy. In fact Paul did not have to say much, by just presenting himself, is a testimony in itself because he was a persecutor of Christians in the past, but now he had reversed his role and became a witness for Christ - this is such a drastic transformation! Similarly, when Lazarus was resurrected by Jesus, Lazarus did not have to say anything but by just seating there and having a meal was a testimony in itself. Therefore, brothers and sisters, do not feel that you are not eloquent and not trained for spreading the gospel because the spreading of gospel relies on none of these but the transformation of our lives.
Paul then indicated not only had he received this mercy and salvation, he had also received God's grace in abundance which gave him the faith and love in his ministry. Do you know that faith and love are also God's grace? We often think of these attributes as being our own! When we are praised because of our love, we feel we are not bad after all! In reality, if it is not because of God's grace, we can neither exhibit love towards God nor to other people! For this reason, Paul stated in Ephesians 2, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast."
Do you truly believe that whatever you have are blessings from God? If these are blessings, on one can boast except to bear testimonies for our Lord as these are all God's work. Just image, to whom can you bear testimony? Your family? You colleagues at work ? Or your friends around you ? May the Lord give you this opportunity and a heart of humility so that you may proclaim the grace of God!
Pray with Pastor Tong
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