Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost of
sinners, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for
those who would believe in Him for eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:16)
Today's blog post is contributed by David Trotta:
We see them all the time.
Advertisements are everywhere…on TV, on billboards, on the Internet.
Some of the most effective advertisements are those that include a picture or
example of someone who used the product with successful results. That person is living, visible proof that the
product works. It makes for a compelling
argument and lends credibility to the product being sold.
As we read in Timothy, God has been immensely
patient and merciful to us, but He didn’t demonstrate that mercy just for our
benefit. The verse starts out with “Yet
for this reason” making it perfectly clear why God was so patient with us.
He wants to put us on display as His
personal advertisement to the world of His goodness and kindness. We are called to be God’s example to the
world to encourage others to put their trust in Him.
Now imagine creating a powerful
advertisement, but leaving it on the drawing board at the office. It wouldn’t be much of an advertisement,
would it?
We can’t be an example unless we are out among people. As we learned earlier this week, we are a
temple that carries the very presence of God.
We are a walking temple with hands and feet and with a primary purpose -
to showcase God’s great mercy to the world.
And, unlike worldly advertisements, you don’t have to be an
example of perfection. As a matter of
fact, the very opposite is true. The
apostle Paul boldly proclaimed that he was the “foremost” of sinners. Your weakness, shortcomings, and past
failures are an important part of your advertisement to the world. They greatly underscore God’s mercy, not diminish
it.
You are called to
be an example of God’s mercy. Choose to brightly
display His goodness. When you do,
others will be drawn to Him and His offer of eternal life.
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