Imagine if someone you knew personally was so against Christ that they would kill those who spoke the name of Jesus. Now imagine now that this person is one of your closest friends, traveling companion and spiritual mentor. This is the life of Timothy. Paul, who used to be Saul, is telling Timothy about the grace that is incredibly covering and amazing in his life that has allowed this transformation in the first chapter of his letter verses 12 through 17. In these five verses, Saul talks a little bit about why God shouldn't have been extending him grace, but why he is so thankful that God did and continued to. The craziest thing I think about that whole grace ordeal is that the same grace that transformed a murderer into one of the greatest evangelizers in the history of the world, THAT same grace is available to me and you here, now, yesterday, tomorrow and forever. CRAZY!!! In the last chapter of his letter to Timothy, Paul writes some very straightforward, important words that hit me square between my eyes when I read them. Verse 11 says “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”
How does that hit you today? Are you pursuing righteousness? Godliness? Love? Steadfastness? Gentleness? If you are, awesome! If you are lacking, ask God for some of that amazing grace I just spoke about and he would love to extend it to you!
