Giving Thanks: God's Grace

NOTE: This article is primarily based on a transcript from my livestream devotional posted November 13,2023. It is informal, conversational and prayerful.

Let’s look at what the apostle Paul writes in his first letter to Timothy, Chapter one, verses 12-17.

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

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.

The Divine Perspective: What Are You Thankful For?

In this series we are considering the Divine Perspective regarding the question, “what is worthy of giving thanks for.”

Paul writes, “I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord who has given me strength …”

All right, stop right there. First, we give thanks to Jesus Christ, who has given us strength.

Strength

[Prayer] Lord, we thank you for strength for today. You give us the strength we need to live in this world. Let’s just praise the Lord right now for giving you whatever strength you have.

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside

Great is thy faithfulness

Great is thy faithfulness,

Morning by morning

New mercies I see.

All I have needed your hands have provided.
Great is your faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

He Considered Me Faithful

Next, Paul says that he “considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.”

That is amazing. Because of the work that Jesus Christ has done on your behalf, he considers you to be faithful. He sees us as faithful, not because of anything we've done, but because of everything Christ has done for us. Because of what Christ has done, he considers us faithful.

And he has appointed each and every one of us to his service. We are appointed to be partners with God in the Missio Dei, in the mission of God, spreading the good news of salvation.

I Was Shown Mercy

That’s not all. Through Jesus Christ, Paul writes in verse 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.”

When we consider how zealously Paul had been opposed to the gospel, that is incredible.

Right now let's just thank the Lord for his mercy, because we've all been ignorant. We have all had unbelief.

[Prayer] Thank you Lord for your mercy. You saved us even though we haven't deserved it. But thank you Lord that by your mercy, you save your children.

The Grace of God Was Poured Out on Me

In Verse 14, he says, “the grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly along with the faith and the love that are in Christ Jesus.”

Father, we thank you for your grace. We thank you for the grace of Jesus Christ that you have poured out on us abundantly.

This is encouraging me. I hope it's encouraging you.

[Prayer] Thank you Lord for your grace that we have abundantly. Lord, thank you for the faith and the love that you give us through Jesus Christ.

He saves sinners, of whom I am the worst.

Continuing to verse 15, Paul says “here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.”

Ready?

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst.”

I'm the worst too, and you're the worst also. We are all the worst sinners, worst of sinners.

“But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:16).

[Prayer] Father, we thank you. Jesus, we thank you for your patience that you have poured out on us. Thank you, Jesus, you have saved the worst of sinners. Thank you, God. Thank you, Lord, that you want us to be examples.

And Father, thank you that you want everyone to receive eternal life. It is the Father's will that not a single soul would be lost.

To the King, eternal, immortal, invisible

Now, let's give him praise.

(Verse 17) Now to the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

[Prayer] Father, in Jesus name, we want to give you honor. And glory forever and ever, for you are worthy of all praise. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for the gifts you have given us. Thank you for the salvation you have given us through your son Jesus Christ.

Thank you Lord. We can have our purpose and a destiny because of what you have done for us through your son, Jesus Christ.

Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord.

Amen. Amen.

SONG: FAITHFUL

At the end of this devotional, I shared a song I wrote that seemed appropriate for this message called, “Faithful.” You can hear it on YouTube [Faithful].