Verse of the day: But that is precisely why I have received mercy, so that in me the essentials, Jesus Christ may show his deep long life, and I may serve as a model for all who believe in him for eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:16)
Paul’s conversion was because of you.
- I want you to see him very personally.
- God had you in mind when you chose Paul and you were saved by sovereign grace.
If you believe in Jesus for eternal life or if you can still believe in him for eternal life, Paul’s conversion is due to you. It is to bring to life the incredible long life of Christ.
Paul’s life before conversion was a long persecution of Jesus. “Why are you chasing me?” Jesus asked (Acts 9. 4). Is your life of disbelief and rebellion a persecution against me?Paul had been set apart for God before he was born, so his whole life was a long insult to God and a long rejection and mockery of Jesus who loved him.
That is why Paul says that his conversion is a radiant demonstration of Jesus’ long life, and that is what he proposes today.
It is for us that Jesus did it this way. Does it show your long suffering?So that he does not believe that he could not really save us, so that we do not think that he is prone to anger, not to think that we have gone too far, so that we do not think that our loved one cannot suddenly be converted unexpectedly by the sovereign and overabundant grace of Jesus.