God’s Super Abounding Grace To The Chief Of Sinners

1 Timothy 1: 12-16 KJV 

(1Ti 1:12)  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

(1Ti 1:13)  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

(1Ti 1:14)  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

(1Ti 1:15)  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

(1Ti 1:16)  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

The word “Grace” is one of the most popularly used words among Christians today. It is so popular that it is almost heard in every Christian gathering, especially during the closing hours.

The convener or whoever that is in charge of such meetings most of the times close it by saying “let us share the grace” or “let’s say the grace” as used in some circles.

When we testify of a new job, a new house or even a new car, we almost all the time end up saying “it came by God’s grace.” “God’s grace found me and gave me a car.” After all, we know Grace to be God’s unmerited favour.

But what about that brother in church without a job, a car, or even an apartment of his own? Does it mean God’s grace is yet to be extended to him?

We need to understand that when we base or tie our understanding or concept of God’s grace to just material acquisition alone, we will arrive at a very shallow and faulty knowledge of it.

To define Grace as “unmerited favour” will be to just give a simple summary of it. However, the word “Grace” is far bigger than just that.

Every time the word is used in the Bible, especially in the New Testament, it is always used to mean different things. Not just unmerited favour alone.

For instance, Paul used it in Romans 12:3 to mean “authority” or “an office of authority.” In verse 6 of the same chapter, he used it to refer to “offices” or “empowerment.” So you will have to read the whole context to understand what “Grace” in that chapter means.

That is why concluding it always as “unmerited favour” may not always give you the clear picture you really need when you study the word. I didn’t say that definition is wrong, I only said you can’t always define it that way everytime you see the word “Grace” in the scriptures.

Now in the context of Salvation which we have seen from 1 Timothy 1:12-16, I always put it this way:

Grace is the undeserved, unearned, unmerited and irrevocable favour of God that do not only save a man but also keeps him saved from sin and it’s penalty forever.

Paul in talking about how incredible Grace is concerning Salvation, took time to tell us the manner of man he was prior to his knowledge of the Gospel.

He was not just your “average” kind of sinners you meet always, if I may put it that way. He called himself the chief of sinners. The chief of them.

As a Pharisee (a set of people in the Bible that strictly followed the Laws of Moses), he had an idea of God and morality he was out to defend.

He derided and opposed with much brutality whoever does not honour the man Moses, his laws, the Temple and serve God as he had instructed. Paul did this even to the point of killing him or her in the most cruesome manner. Similar to what the Islamic extremists Boko Haram and ISIS are doing today.

But regardless of how big his sins were, God’s grace was always bigger. While the world saw a man with arms, God was seeing in him an apostle of love who had lost his way.

This was why Paul in verse 14 of that 1 Timothy 1, had to describe the Grace of God towards him as “exceeding abundant.”

The words “exceeding abundant” is the same as “super abounding,” “extravagant,” “hyper,” or “much more abound” as seen in Romans 5:20.

So even when he was still in sin, doing all manner of things, the grace of God super abounded to him. And Paul told us God’s purpose in extending grace towards him, was to use him as a sample for us.

So as a people, we are to understand that God’s amazing grace is ours to take hold of. And as believers we are to understand that having been saved by this grace, we are kept “saved” by the same.

Romans 5:8-10 puts it in a very plain way for us. The place says

(Rom 5:8)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

(Rom 5:9)  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

(Rom 5:10)  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

So before we were saved, He extended His love toward us. And after we were saved or justified by His death, He keeps us saved from the wrath to come by His Life. That is grace for you.

Did you notice that place we just read never placed any responsibility on us whatsoever with regards to our Salvation? It never said we were saved by His blood and will remain saved by our works. No!

It said it is by His Life and Blood because in Salvation, Grace took care of all that from start to finish. Man’s only part in it now is to just believe.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV

So if you ever feel like you are the worst sinner on earth, if you have done things you are not proud of, let me remind you that someone who calls himself “the chief of sinners” did worse. But God did not for the sake of his sins, abandoned nor give up on him.

In fact, God protected, cleansed, justified, and vowed never to remember his sins anymore. If He could do all that for Paul (the one time murderer), be rest assured He has extended the same grace towards you.

Regardless of how great your sins are, God’s grace towards you is greater!

Believe me when I say this, He will never give up on you! Never!

He loves you more than an only child is loved in the world.

Receive and enjoy His grace today!