How are we Supposed to Know Better? - 1 Timothy Start

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 ESV)

I often wonder why Paul considered himself the worst of sinners.

I think it's because he knew the Bible inside and out and he still hurt people with it. He was a Jew of Jews and Hebrew of Hebrews and a Pharisee holding as strictly to the law as he could. And instead of using his knowledge of God's for good he used it as a weapon to hurt and persecuted and in prison other people.

There is no greater crime than to misuse the Bible to hurt people. I think that's why Paul considers himself the worst of sinners.

Paul had no problem boasting of who he was before Christ. He reminded people regularly of how bad he was. We hear his testimony several times in the New Testament of the evils of his former life. But every time he talked about it was to give glory to the mercies of God in Christ Jesus.

Here in first Timothy he reminds his young disciple that Grace is greater than sin.  He says, "though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief," (1 Timothy 1:13 ESV)

Notice his words: "I acted ignorantly in unbelief"

Paul says my sin and my evil was directly tied to unbelief. He doesn't say it was because of not knowing the scriptures better. It was unbelief in the Son of God Jesus Christ. Knowing Jesus is what leads us out of sin. Every sin in our lives is directly tied to unbelief.

On the other side, every form of righteousness we could ever hope to attain is rooted in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. Open your heart to Christ, and he will reveal himself to you. That is discipleship. That is knowing God and growing to be more in tune with Him.

Christianity has never been about knowing information. It's always been about experiencing the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER:
Father, I want to know you better. I want to know Jesus Christ. I want to experience you personally in my life. In a fresh way, in a new way, renew my mind through the Lord Jesus Christ.

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