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The Race To Grace
Next, we will read what I call a "power text" from Paul. Here is what he says:
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. 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. — 1 Timothy 1:15-16
I think this captures perfectly how men sometimes feel. We feel very far from God because of our sins, and we tend to fixate on this. And we should know, identify, and accept the full weight of our sin. If we don't, we won't see and experience the other side of what Paul is saying here. Because he's not only focusing on how great his sin was but also on how it demonstrated and drew attention to the timing and the mercy of Jesus. He realized that while he could spend his life fixating on his sin, there was something better to fix his mind on — the patience and mercy of Jesus in light of his great sin. And that by accepting this mercy, living in it, and fixating on it, his present salvation was a witness to all the great attributes of Christ and not only the great sin of his past.
So is it time for you who over-fixate on your sin, your past, your failings, your hurts, and your hangups to focus more on Jesus's love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness? If so, do this today. See not only your sin but his great mercy, and remember we are not in competition with others about how great our past sin was. But instead, we turn all our attention to how great Jesus's mercy is despite this sin day after day.
ASK THIS:Â Are you over-fixated on your sin and missing an opportunity to worship Jesus and all he has done for you?
DO THIS:Â Play the song below and worship Jesus and all his attributes displayed in you.
PRAY THIS:Â God, you are so great to me.Â
PLAY THIS:Â How Great Is Our God.
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Hey Vince,
Great message for me to meditate on today. So often I think about past sins, then my focus changes to me and my past, instead of His greatness. I want to stay focused on Christ Jesus and the great gift of salvation given to me and all who call on Him.
I know that my God has forgiven me and my past sins, but what can I do with those that bring my past sins up to me continuously to throw them back in my face. I know that I messed up in my past, but why is that I have to pay for it my whole life?!? No forgiveness is given even when my life has been transformed…. God is my only judge and jury here in this world..
Timothy,
God forgave you! No matter what others say your sins were forgiven and you are a new creation in Christ Jesus, When someone brings up your past, just lean into God’s word and look them in the eye and tell them you are no longer that guy. I would use this as a teaching moment for them to possibly lead them to Christ.
BOOM!
Thank you, I do this when it is thrown in my face… I praise God for his forgiveness and unfailing. God’s word is what has brought me this far… even when faced with criticism and shame.
Dennis, below, is right on. Perhaps you should consider separating yourself, for a time, from those that “throw your sins back in your face”. The devil can use those people to accuse you, but he can’t condemn you. Remember Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Remember lastly, Psalms 103:12 He has put your sins as far as the east is from the west. He remembers them no more. Don’t accept what others say about your sin, when God Himself remembers them no more. Btw, we have ALL messed up in our past, just like those that accuse you.
Stay Blessed in our Lord, Timothy.
Thank you Vince, for your Daily Devo. It means more to us all, than you know. Much love in Jesus!
Spot on
Thanks Vince I needed that today
Boom, there it is. Looking for love, acceptance and satisfaction anywhere else except through Jesus Christ our Lord is going to disappoint. I keep going out and try to disprove it to no avail.
WOW!!!. Solid ….Thanks Pasture Vince
Vince, thank you so much for your daily devotionals. They help me so much and increase my knowledge in interpreting the bible each day.
-Joe K
We’re you ease dropping on my prayer last nite about fixating on my current sin???
😳
Thank you for this Vince! It’s so easy to let sin and the past define me. When I think of who I am in the context of my sin, I either minimize it, pretending it doesn’t matter, or maximize it and allow it to have power over my present — this is giving power to something that is, in fact, powerless, which is nuts!
But if I focus instead on the rich mercy and ongoing lovingkindness of God, well, those holy attributes are so huge that I’ll never fully get my head around them. I can thank him and praise him forever and it will still be just a start — so I will fix my eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2). Hallelujah!