Transformed in Christ

12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. 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 sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. 16 But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come 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. 

—1 Timothy 1:12-17

I find great hope and comfort in Paul’s description of his spiritual transformation through Christ Jesus. Paul says he “was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence” and the “grace of our Lord overflowed for me with faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” Grace overflowed for him with the faith and love of Christ Jesus. This is such a wonderful, heartwarming, comforting image.  

At verse 16 the passage declares that Paul is an example for others who would come to believe in Christ Jesus, so it is perfectly accurate and acceptable to apply Paul’s description to us. Just as grace overflowed for him, grace overflows for you and for me with the faith and love of Christ Jesus. How awesome is that?  

Paul had done awful things; yet through the grace, mercy, faith and love of Christ Jesus he was transformed; however, as he wrote the words he was not yet perfect, his transformation was continuing. I say this because while he “was formerly blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence,” he continues saying, “I am the foremost” of sinners. Through Jesus he was transformed and through Jesus his transformation was continuing, but he was not yet perfect. He was still a sinner and in fact, he still considered himself to be the worst of sinners.  

And look at what God accomplished through him. Fourteen books of the Bible are attributed to him. Scripture says, “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that when the handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, their diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them” (Acts 19:11-12). He tirelessly preached the good news of Christ Jesus in town after town, often in the face of great opposition, conflict and hardship. He was hungry and beaten, he was jailed on many occasions, and ultimately he gave his life for His Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, and through his efforts and many others like him, God formed His holy church, the Body of Christ.

I encourage you to consider Paul’s testimony in three ways. First, consider the awesome power of Christ Jesus resulting in Paul’s transformation. Paul describes attributes of Christ Jesus using the words: mercy, grace, faith, love, saving, patience, the King, immortal, invisible, and the only God. Nothing is beyond His power and love, and He desires relationship with each of us.  

Second, consider other people you encounter each day. Some may have done things you find reprehensible, shameful, and even unforgiveable. Can you imagine God offering them His holy grace, His redemptive love? No one, no one is beyond God’s redemption. No one has somehow disqualified themself from receiving God’s redemptive mercy, love and grace. Paul says he was a violent blasphemer and persecutor; yet, Christ Jesus sought him out offering His holy, transforming, redeeming grace and overflowing faith and love, so that Paul might be an example. No matter what others have done, God’s redemptive grace is showering over them.

Finally, focus for a moment within yourself. Consider God’s holy word and your experience with Christ Jesus, who is the Word. No matter what you may have done, God desires to bring you into His fold; He desires to adopt you as His child, as a sibling of Christ Jesus, to engage in true, transparent relationship with you, and to reveal His glory through you. Paul says the process begins by receiving His mercy, grace, faith and love through Christ Jesus, it begins while we are still sinners and it continues transforming us as we move along the path towards Him.  

If God can use “the foremost” of sinners to accomplish the things Paul accomplished, what might God accomplish through you? If you have not yet experienced grace overflowing for you with the faith and love of Christ Jesus, ask Him to fill you. Sincerely turn to Him and seek Him. His holy grace showers over you. May you experience it now and forever.

Paul begins the passage above saying, “I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service.” His holy transforming grace showers over us so we might find our purpose in Him and through Him. What is He calling you to do today? Who is He placing in your path today? May Christ Jesus enlighten the eyes of your spirit in all ways, Amen.