unlimited patience

I have been reflecting on the story of Paul. Knowing this story may help us to have a greater understanding of God's mercy and patience.

Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 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.

To understand what he's talking about we need to know Paul's history, his testimony:

Shortly after Christ's ressurection, around 33AD, many people still did not believe that Christ was the Messiah, which was foretold in the old testement. People who professed a belief in Christ and who followed His teachings were breaking the Roman law and going againstmanyJewish customs.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Paul was a zealous Roman Soldier and a Jew. He was brutal in his dealings with those who opposed the jewish teachings. No one was safe. Man or woman - he would drag them out of their homes or places of worship and have them imprisioned, beaten or killed. He was very well known through out the land. And feared, I'm sure!                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
One day on the road to Damascus - on his way to to deal with more Christ followers. He is stopped by Jesus. I'll let you read about Saul's conversion - here.   From that moment on Paul (formally called Saul) was never the same.

Meditate on the reality for a moment.  This is about real people who suffered at the hand of another.  Can you relate?

Yet God in all His mercy chose to remove Paul from the pit of destruction, the miry clay and spoke truth to his hardened heart.

Does this sound familiar to you?  Maybe it's your heart that was/is hardened from the truth, or someone close to you.

I love verse 16 in 1Timothy 1 (above).  Paul was an example of God's unlimited patience.  Paul refers to himself as the "worst of sinners".  If God can change the heart of  the "worst",  couldn't he change the rest of us?  Can't He use our changed lives for His glory?

Our God's mercy and patience never end.