August 15, 2017
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:14 (NIV)
You are not yet what you will be. But you are not what you used to be either. The reason is—God’s grace has been poured into your life.
- Grace poured out
God’s grace is not merely past experience. It is a present reality: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1:15). Paul does not say, “I was the worst.” He says, “I am the worst”—present tense. We stand by grace today. None of us have lived a single day this week in a way that merited heaven. Our righteousness is not in ourselves—it is in him! Right now, the grace of God is being poured out on you abundantly in Christ. - Faith poured out
Where did Paul’s faith come from? He says in verse 13 that he acted in unbelief. He resisted Christ. So where did his faith come from? It came from Christ. “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Eph. 2:8). - Love poured out
Paul says, “I was an angry man. I was injuring other people. And the love that is in Christ Jesus was poured out into me!” An unbelieving heart is flooded with faith. An angry heart is flooded with love. That’s the transforming power of the gospel!
Faith sees your sins and your failures, but it also affirms what God has done in your life.
Reflect on and affirm God’s pouring out of grace, faith, and love in your life.