Has there ever been a time in your life that you ruined something so bad that you thought that there was no way that it could ever be fixed, yet someone else managed to take that thing and repair it back so that it was useful once again?
It always amazes me when a car body mechanic receives a vehicle that has had a large tree fall onto it’s roof, completely crushing the metal into a twisted mess, but over time they work on that mess as they push and pull and straighten out all of the dents, until the day that is completely finished. When you look at it you would never have guessed that days earlier it was a wreck. Well, people can be the same, all twisted up because of their sins, a complete mess that seems hardly worth saving. But it is these people who God fixes and repairs, and makes them usable for His service. The apostle Paul considered himself one such person.
1 Timothy 1:12-16 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
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.
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Paul was a man who readily admitted that he had done some things that were really bad in his life, things that many people may have considered to be unforgivable, yet this man was used by God for great, great things. Through God’s forgiveness and mercy Paul was able to lead a life that was quite different than he previously had. Once a person who sought to destroy churches, Paul became a man who traveled all over starting them. Once a man who persecuted anyone who was a Christian, Paul became a partaker of their sufferings along with them. Because of the opportunity that Jesus gave to Paul, he became a completely different person. He used God’s grace, and became something fit for His use.
Jesus wants people to change. He wants to save them, just as He did with Paul. That is why Jesus did what He did when He died on the cross: to give people an opportunity to repent and change. To give them life. People just need to be ready to admit their sins, and ready to receive His forgiveness.
Think there’s no hope for you? Well there is, because if God can save Paul, He can save you too. Like an auto body repair shop, God is able to fix any project that comes through the door. He can save all who call upon Him seeking for mercy. Mercy and forgiveness are available, ready and waiting for you to come and get it. Are you ready to become God’s next project?
In Christ
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 