GRATEFUL

1Ti 1:13
“Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy…”.

The verse before us describes a man known at that time as Saul, who in his own words “persecuted the church of Jesus Christ.” At another time he called himself “the chief of sinners”, which indicates to us in some way that he ranked himself among the lowest of the low. But he was shown “mercy”… rather than receiving a just recompense, the now Apostle Paul received the mercy of God.
Gods mercy is infinite and very often we do not understand the vastness of it that when applied to a violent murderer he is totally transformed and becomes an apostle.
Every believer today can identify with the Apostle Paul in one way or another, and be extremely grateful to God that we didn’t get what we rightfully deserved. “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy” (Rom 9:15). To Him alone be the Glory.