1 Timothy 1:12-20

As we have discussed the topics of salvation and spiritual growth today I want to discuss a topic that many times keeps us from moving forward in spiritual growth! Before I came to Christ for salvation, my life was a mess. People that I helped get into drugs died because of the drugs. Even after salvation, I struggled with my spiritual growth because of my past! it is true I was guilty of terrible things and I felt that because of my past it was only right that I suffered now. How could God just forgive all that and not imprison me some how because of what I had done? I think there may be some sitting here that have that same weight or cloud hanging over them.

You know we learn a lot from Paul’s ministry and letters in the Bible. today I think we are going to look at one of the greatest things Paul could teach us. lets walk through just a few verses that contain a lifetime of freedom!

1 Timothy 1:12 (NKJV)

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,

Paul, a man who murdered Christians for their faith, now a Christian himself! Yet not locked in a prison of shame! He is thankful because Christ enabled him! Christ gave Him power to live a life free of shame. and look at this Christ counted him faithful and Christ put him into the ministry! Christ knew all the stuff that Paul had done not only against Christians but against Christ Himself yet Christ not only washed Pauls sin away, Christ saw fit to put this murder into the ministry!

1 Timothy 1:13 (NKJV)

13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Paul calls himself a blasphemer, persecutor and insolent (meaning someone whose grossly mistreats others) and says I have obtained Mercy. God withheld the punishment Paul deserved because he was ignorant or didn’t know any better and he was not a believer!

What is Paul saying? He is saying God chose to not punish Paul because when he did those things he was not saved and he did not know any better.

James 4:17 (NKJV)

17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

James clarifies this a bit. Like we discussed in the process of sanctification, as we grow in our knowledge of God we grow in every other area of our life. Our information that we receive from the Bible will grow us and as we learn and put it into practice our heart and desire for God will change as well as our external habits. these changes come through time and through much learning.

God chooses to show us mercy as we grow and change. We should no longer hold that shame on ourselves because God does not hold it one us, We are free from the punishment that we deserved. We must not in-prison ourselves with the shame that Christ took away!

1 Timothy 1:14 (NKJV)

14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

So God gave Mercy but now Paul says Gods grace overflowed onto us! so God’ withheld the punishment we deserved and He also overflowed blessings that we do not deserve! and these blessings came with faith and love that is found in Christ!

When I have a day where my mind keeps thinking on the past and that bad things I did, I need to take control of those thoughts and direct them with this simple truth! Christ forgave me, Christ gave me Mercy, Christ’s love overflowed with Grace and love and filled me with faith! Christ made all things in me new!!!

1 Timothy 1:15 (NKJV)

15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Think of that my sin, is the reason Christ came to this world! He came to free me from my sinful past and wash me with a new life!

1 Timothy 1:16 (NKJV)

16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

look at that, Paul says Christ showed him mercy so that we could see the longsuffering of Christ! With what we witnessed we can see this as a pattern of Christ deals with all who come to him for salvation! Paul is not a special case! the mercy and grace Paul recieved at salvation is available to all who come to Christ looking for salvation!

1 Timothy 1:17 (NKJV)

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul takes a moment to just throw praise to God and I agree with Paul after all we have just read how can we do anything but take a moment and recognized the awesomeness of God! He is our

Attributes Paul Points Out

Eternal King = King with no beginning and no end!

Immortal = can’t die and can not be overcome by the enemy!

Invisible = beyond ability to see!

Who alone is wise = God is the only source of true wisdom!

Praise Paul Gives

Honor = Respect that is due

Glory = Splendor, greatness above what we can understand.

1 Timothy 1:18–19 (NKJV)

18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,

Paul urges Timothy to keep moving forward following Christ and fulfilling the calling God put on his life, with Faith and a Good Conscience. Not letting the past hold him back! moving forward with no thought for the mistakes that were made yesterday or before.

Some have rejected this idea of freedom from the past and he says those people have suffered a spiritual shipwreck!

If you have never put your faith In Christ, do so today to get freedom from the past and salvation for your future! if you have already put your faith in Christ, let go of the past, focus on the love, Grace and Mercy you have in Christ to move forward in a new victorious Life!