David Bahn – Reflections

1 Timothy 1:12-17

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages,immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

I remember one sadly self-deluded person from my college days. He thought of himself as God’s gift to women. He had somehow managed to gather a group of girls around himself, and he would offer advice, insight, and the gift of his presence to them – or so he thought. But it seemed from my perspective to be a very unhealthy relational dynamic. To think that you’re doing a favor to someone by being their friend or listening to their problems has a certain “yucky-ness factor” to my way of thinking.

Whether or not that is true, it is certainly true that we do God no favor by anything we might do for the sake of his glory or kingdom. God has things well in hand quite well without us. We do no favor to God by giving the largest offering, by sacrificing the greatest amount of time or energy, or by offering the greatest and most eloquent prayers. The truth is that God does us the supreme favor of allowing us to honor, serve, worship, and pray to him.

Paul realized this. He was keenly aware of this because of the dramatic turn-around in his life. From being a violent persecutor of the people of God, to becoming the greatest missionary of the Early Church, Paul’s conversion changed the landscape of his priorities and bragging rights. Rather than celebrating in his Jewish roots and zealous service to God, he boasts in God’s remarkable grace and love of God in Christ. Even his standing as one who had received grace was not so that he could brag in how great was his turn-around. It was so that Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for others.

Rather than thinking that we are ever doing God a favor, we best remember that it is a privilege and honor to serve and worship him. He not only forgives our sins, and calls us into mission and ministry, but gives us the strength to do great things for the glory of his name. That should lead us to praise God as Paul does here: To the King of the ages,immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.