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PARENTAL PATIENCE

We kids got in trouble often in the home.

We were three siblings that played too hard, didn't do our chores often enough, and weren't particularly kind or well-mannered.

We were essentially barbarians.

And with our barbaric choices came just consequences.

  • Time out
  • Grounded
  • No more video games

The tough stuff.

However, occasionally when we were barbarians and deserved just consequences - our parents would let us off the hook.

They let us off the hook NOT to reinforce how special we were, but to reinforce how good and patient they were.

Our parents put on display that they were only just but they were gracious because of who they were.

Something similar is happening here in 1 Timothy 1:15-16.

1 TIMOTHY 1:15-16

Paul makes a stunning (but not uncommon in scripture) claim.

"15B I am the worst of sinners."

He goes on to say, "16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life."

In other words, Paul says that he was shown mercy NOT so that Christ could reinforce how special Paul was, but instead to reinforce how patient Christ is.

YOU ARE NOT THAT SPECIAL - THANK GOD

This is some of the best news in the world.

Here's how this plays out today.

We don't have to be worried if we will be shown mercy based on how:

  • Gifted
  • Unique
  • Special
  • Funny
  • Good-looking
  • Etc.

...we are.

We can trust that we will be shown mercy because of who Christ is.

In other words, you aren't that special and you will be shown mercy because that is what Christ does regardless of how special someone is.

Thank God we aren't shown mercy based on how special we are - otherwise we'd all be hosed.