0408. "I OBTAINED MERCY"

"I OBTAINED MERCY"

1Ti_1:16

I. He needed mercy. According to his own confession, he was the "chief of sinners" (1Ti_1:15). He was a ringleader among the enemies of Christ. Nothing but mercy could meet his need. He did not need more worldly wisdom or a better man-pleasing life; he needed the mercy of God to forgive his sin and save his soul from death. Divine mercy covered all his deep, dire need.

II. He obtained mercy. He did not obtain it by any work or merit of his own. He obtained it just because God in His infinite grace gave it to him. He obtained it because he readily accepted the gift when offered to him. There is no other way for us to obtain mercy than by receiving it.

III. He obtained mercy through Christ Jesus (1Ti_1:15). There is none other name under Heaven, none other channel between Heaven and earth, through which the stream of God’s forgiving and saving mercy can flow. The only price by which we can obtain the mercy of God is the precious Blood of Christ. When the Lord said to Saul, "It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks," it was His merciful call to surrender. The mercy and the victory came when Saul answered, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" God is rich in mercy through Jesus Christ His Son.

IV. He obtained mercy that Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering in him. Not only that he might be saved from a life of rebellion and coming wrath, but that he may become a lantern through which the longsuffering goodness and patience of Christ might shine forth. The longsuffering Christ was revealed to him and in him, that He might be revealed through him. The obtaining of mercy has to do with the honour and glory of God, as well as with our own salvation.

V. He obtained mercy, that he might be a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him. In obtaining mercy, he not only became an exhibition of the grace of God, but an example to encourage all those who desired to trust Jesus Christ, with the view of obtaining that mercy which means "life everlasting." Seeing, then, that the conversion of Saul is to be taken as a sample of the saving mercy of God, what great encouragement there is for sinners of every age to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. It is said that Abraham Lincoln gave orders to his doorkeepers never to turn away anyone petitioning for life. All the doorkeepers of the House of God have the same instructions. If you are seeking life, eternal life, here is mercy for you. Have you obtained it?

Autor: James Smith