Trophies of Grace Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Trophies of Grace-------------------------- Date: 8/2/2001 Keyword: "grace" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: 1 Timothy 1:12-16* 12. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service; 13. even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. And yet I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14. and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 15. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 16. And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Questions 1. What does verse 13 say about the apostle Paul’s manner of life prior to becoming a Christian?   2. What made all the difference in his life, according to verse 14?   3. How did Paul view himself at the time he wrote these verses (note especially verses 12 and 15)?   Practical help Paul’s autobiography in these verses applies to us all. They describe a life of sin and rebellion that paved the way for God’s "grace invasion." Paul said that God’s grace proved abundant (not just sufficient!) for him, and so it will prove abundant for any sinner who takes hold of it — including you. (To find out how to "take hold of grace" click here.) While forgiven, though, Paul never lost the perspective that he was, first and last, a trophy of grace. Even as a Christ-loving apostle he referred to himself (present tense) as "the foremost of sinners." How’s that? Paul, the apostle, still wrestled with sin! Yes! Yet God still continued to shower him with grace, still continued to consider him faithful (according to verse 12) and still continued to use him (verse 16). Struggle with sin? Battling porn? Learn from Paul that: • God’s grace will prove abundant for you as you take hold of it — abundantly powerful to enable you to quit viewing it! • Even after you win the battle with porn (you will win, you know), your struggle with sin won’t be over and done with. You will still need the forgiveness Jesus offers because you and I will still, from time to time, give in to various temptations and commit sin. • God wants to use you "as an example for those who would believe in [Jesus] for eternal life" (verse 16). eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2001 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."