11/15/98
Devotional Thought
1 Timothy 1:12-17
“Foremost” means the first in line, the one who is leading the possession. When Paul was identifying himself as the “foremost sinner,” he saw himself as the key one who worked against God. He was the first one in line to be the blasphemer, the persecutor, the man of violence.
But because of God’s mercy and patience, Paul became the “foremost believer” as the key example leading others to believe in Christ for eternal life.
As Christians today, we rarely see ourselves as “foremost sinners” and have done the kinds of things that Paul did. But when we look more closely at the kinds of attitudes that we may have or the kinds of priorities living as twenty-first century people have or the kinds of relationships that we keep, we can also see that we are first in line to find ourselves coming up short in our Christian faith. We are not only first in line as sinners, but we have “most” of these shortcomings.
But as Christ changed Paul’s life, Christ is also changing ours today. Patiently and mercifully, Christ transforms us to be Christian examples for others to believe in him. They too will receive eternal life. As foremost sinners, we become foremost Christians as the result of God’s love and mercy.
There are responsibilities in being “foremost Christians.”
- When you’re first in line, people follow what you do. The way you walk. Where you go. The places you go to serve. It’s like playing “Follow the Leader.”
- We are blessed with not only with “some or more,” but “most” of the opportunities and responsibilities to serve with Christ in this world.
To whom much is given, much is expected.
- We are not just first in line to check out our groceries or that we possess much resources for personal enjoyment, but with these opportunities, we are to serve Christ as his disciples.
We are grateful to Christ Jesus who has strengthened us and judged us to be faithful so that we are chosen to serve in his church.
Prayer.