It Starts Small

¹² I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry— ¹³ even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief, ¹⁴ and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them. ¹⁶ But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:12-17

Paul’s Testimony

One incredible purpose of sharing our testimony is that it ignites a flame of perpetual gratitude within us! Just as Paul poured out his heart in sharing his testimony, he was reminded to lift his voice in thankfulness. He thanked Jesus for His overwhelming grace in his life. While we often view our testimony as a powerful witness to others – and indeed, it is! – we often overlook the profound impact it has on our own souls. When we declare what God has done for us, we revive our own memories and express our heartfelt reflections. This process stirs within us an overwhelming spirit of thanksgiving, just as it did for Paul!

Make it a passionate habit to share with others the incredible ways God is working in your life! This isn’t just about your salvation testimony—it’s so much more! When you cultivate the practice of expressing what God is doing within you, you’ll become more attuned to His miraculous work. This will nurture His presence in your heart. Your gratitude will overflow as you recognize His continual presence in your life.

He considered me faithful

This is a fascinating phrase that ignites deep contemplation! Paul boldly recounts his past as a blasphemer and a relentless persecutor of the church. How could it be that God would deem him faithful? It’s evident that Paul was not faithful in those dark moments. Yet, God, in His infinite wisdom, envisioned not just who Paul was, but who he would ultimately become! Surely, it was God Himself who orchestrated this remarkable transformation. This serves as a powerful reminder. God gazes upon us not for our current state. He sees the incredible potential we hold in Him!

A sculptor gazes at a rough, unremarkable chunk of rock and exclaims, “It’s perfect!” He doesn’t dwell on its current imperfections—the cracks, the blemishes, the grime. No, his vision soars beyond the surface. He imagines what this rock can become with artistry and dedication. I truly believe that God sees us in this light. Take Peter, for instance, once known as Simon. Jesus called him “rock” long before he ever embraced that identity. Jesus recognized the greatness within him, the potential waiting to be unleashed.

God has intricately designed each one of us, instilling within us unique qualities and divine gifts waiting to be unleashed! Often, these powerful traits lie dormant, overshadowed and underappreciated. Yet, our Creator does not discard us as mere waste. Instead, He passionately nurtures our growth. He equips us with everything we need. We fulfill the magnificent purpose He has envisioned for us in His glorious kingdom.

Next time you find yourself feeling discouraged or enveloped in despair, hold these powerful thoughts close to your heart. Remember that God has handpicked you for an extraordinary purpose, a divine mission that only you can fulfill! You are of immeasurable worth, and your self-esteem should not stem from mere notions of your innate goodness. Instead, draw strength from the profound truth. Regardless of your past, God gazes upon you with unwavering love. He envisions the incredible potential you can unleash with just a little effort!

If Paul can change, then anybody can

In verse 16, Paul fervently declares that it is “for this reason” he was saved. Through Him, Jesus could powerfully exhibit His incredible patience. This serves as an example for all. Imagine God. He gazes down from the heavens. He yearns to reveal to the world the boundless depths of His love. He wants to show His grace and mercy! He longs to show every single person that no matter their past, they can approach Him and be forgiven. He is passionate about demonstrating that anyone can transform through His grace. God desires to ignite hope, especially in those who believe they or the people around them are lost beyond redemption. So, what does He do?

He chooses Paul—a man who has fervently hunted down the church, one of its most vicious adversaries. Yes, Paul is the perfect example of transformation! God takes this fierce enemy and turns his life upside down. He doesn’t just save him. He molds him into the most renowned missionary. Paul becomes the greatest apostle, church planter, Scripture writer, and preacher of all time. And then, with a triumphant declaration, He proclaims, “Look! This is the depth of My mercy!”

No matter what you have done in the past, there is always hope! God’s grace is profoundly available, and His might to save knows no bounds! You may look at a friend or a relative and believe they are beyond redemption. Perhaps they’ve committed terrible sins. They may have even declared themselves as fierce opponents of God. But let me tell you, they are not beyond hope! Take Richard Dawkins, for instance, often regarded as one of the most antagonistic figures against God and the Bible. He has uttered some truly appalling things about God, things I won’t repeat here. Yet, remember this: God is grand and powerful enough to transform even those who seem the most lost!

What can we learn about leadership or leaders from these verses?

It is Christ who passionately strengthens us and bestows upon us our incredible abilities. We see the profound humility of Paul as he openly acknowledges his own sinfulness while simultaneously celebrating God’s unimaginable goodness. His letters overflow with heartfelt gratitude towards the Lord, constantly affirming that it is His divine work and not his own:

• strengthened me (12)
• considered me (12)
• putting me (12)
• mercy (13)
• grace (14)
• to save sinners (15)
• of which I am first of all (15)
• mercy (16)
• patience (16)
• honor and glory forever (17)

Paul dedicates every ounce of glory, every bit of credit, to God alone.

He recognizes that he was a wretched sinner. Now, by the sheer grace and mercy of God, he stands as an apostle and servant of the Lord. It was Jesus who transformed him into who he is today! How profoundly would this realization shape Paul as a leader? And how does this powerful truth resonate within us? It should bring us to our knees in humility! It compels us to lean wholeheartedly on God and abandon the notion of self-reliance. It ignites a fire within us to extend compassion to those we serve. We should even show compassion to the stubbornly hard-hearted unbelievers because we, too, were once lost without God’s grace! So, what are some tangible ways we can cultivate our humility and keep our hearts aligned with this truth?

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If you are following along and using the printed journal, you will find a section towards the back. This section helps you work a deeper connection with Paul’s testimony and your own. You can download and print this section individually.

Take time this month to work on your own testimony.

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Cross-References

Verses on Sharing Your Testimony:

• 1 Chronicles 16:8
• Daniel 4:2
• Psalm 107:2
• Luke 8:39
• 2 Timothy 1:8

Discussion Questions

• Do you think there are any sins too serious for God to forgive?
• What do you notice about Paul’s attitude towards his previous condition?
• What about his attitude towards his present condition?
• What purpose/purposes did Christ have in choosing Paul?
• How do we see this purpose still being fulfilled almost two thousand years later?
• Finish this statement, “If Paul could be saved, then…”
• What does Paul’s testimony tell us about God’s grace?
• Why is it important for us to also share our testimony?
• How can we use our testimony as a witnessing tool?

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