Grace in
Abundance
1 Timothy 1:12-17
by Rev. Randy Quinn
We all remember the story of the Apostle
Paul. We know he was a devout Jew who zealously pursued the Christians
because he saw them as an affront to his faith. Luke tells the story early in
his account of the church’s history (see especially Acts 7:53 – 9:31), and
Paul refers to it more than once in his letters. We know that he saw the
Christians as enemies of his faith and that the church saw him as their enemy
as well.
Paul was ruthless in his persecution of
the Christians. And there is no question that he was a violent man (1 Tim
1:13).
What makes his story remarkable,
however, is the sudden change that took place, a change that took place almost
literally in a “flash of light” on the road to Damascus. It is the
quintessential story of dramatic conversion.
He went from being against Christ to
being for Christ. There was nothing in between. He was changed suddenly by
the grace of God.
But it isn’t a story about sin so much
as it is a story about forgiveness.
It’s been nearly 20 years since it was
released, but do any of you remember seeing The Mission starring Robert
de Niro?
Early in the movie, we are introduced to
de Niro’s character, Rodrigo Mendoza, who hunts South American Indians and
sells them into slavery. He is a vicious and cruel man who gets into a fight
with his own brother and kills him.
In his remorse, he seeks out a priest
who provides a means of penance. He is to carry his weapons and armor up into
the tribal lands where he used to hunt and leave them there.
. . . .
