The Transforming Grace of God - Read: 1 Timothy 1:9-17 – 9) Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10) For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11) According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 12) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13) Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14) And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15) This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16) Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17) Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Concern about her salvation, the woman met with her pastor. “I don’t know how Jesus can accept me,” she cried. “I want to give my life to Him, but I’m not ready. You don’t know what I’ve done. Jesus can’t possibly forgive me.”
Feeling guilty about past wrongs is understandable. Sin is ugly in God’s eyes, but He took care of the problem on the Cross. When you agree with God that your sin is wrong and accept Jesus’ payment in your place, you are freed by His blood – clean and righteous in God’s sight. No one is too wicked, too horrible, too unlovable, and too vile for Jesus to love.
Paul, the missionary and apostle, said: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience. . .” (v. 15-16) One of the greatest evangelists of all time was once a vicious persecutor of Christians.
No matter what you have said or done, you can hold fast to this promise: “In [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
