1Ti_1:16. Paul Obtaining Mercy
"Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy."’971Ti_1:16.
The two great rocks on which thousands suffer the shipwreck of their souls, are presumption and despair. Many presume on account of the mercy and goodness of God. "Because sentence against an evil work," &c. They imagine God to be entirely indifferent to human actions, or think he is such a one as themselves. Others, again, are kept from God’s favor through despondency. They have overwhelming views of the evil of their state, and despair of the grace of God being sufficient for their salvation. Now, while this is a state of mind exceedingly painful, and deserving our sympathy, yet, it is so connected with unbelief as to be exceedingly offensive to God. You fear God will not save you. Why, what shall he do to convince of his gracious regards towards you? He has given you his word, oath his messengers, yea, his own Son. "And if God spared not his own Son," &c. To encourage the inquiring sinner he has also given astonishing examples of his saving power. There is Manasseh, and Nebuchadnezzar, in the Old Testament; and there is Mary Magdalene, the dying thief, and Saul of Tarsus, in the New. The last is the subject of the text. Hence, he says, "Howbeit, for this cause," &c. Let us consider,
I. The apparent Difficulties in the way of Saul finding Mercy.
In the previous verse he calls himself the chief of sinners.
1. He was entirely ignorant of the plan of salvation.
He was a Pharisee in heart, profession, and life. No idea that he was a sinner’97no idea of divine mercy’97no idea of contrition, of selfabasement. He trusted in his own righteousness, in the goodness of his own heart. Now, there is but one plan of salvation. Through the mercy of God, and by faith in the Messiah.
2. He was an unbeliever.
He lived at a most eventful crisis. Just when the Spirit had been poured down from on high. The events concerning Jesus and his crucifixion, together with the doctrines of the. apostles, must have been familiar to him. Yet, like thousands of his countrymen, he closed his eyes against the light’97his ears against the truth; and his heart against the influences of the gospel.
3. He was a blasphemer.
See ver. 18. Openly vilified the name of Jesus. Vented his hatred to Christ by associating his name with evil. Might perhaps speak of him as being accursed of God, or as his countrymen before him say he had a devil, &c.
4. He was a bitter persecutor.
His soul burned with unhallowed zeal against Christ and his cause. It is said he breathed threatenings against the disciples, Act_9:1. His soul was inflamed with the fire of hellish hate, &c. See Act_26:9-11, and Act_22:4, also8:3 He was one who saw the first martyrs in Christ’s cause expire. See7:57-59.
5. He was injurious.
This we have already exemplified in his character as a persecutor; but it is likely that, in addition to all this, he blasted the reputation of the saints, and thus sacrificed their good names, as well as their property, liberty, and life. Or, it may signify, that as a persecutor, he was remarkably successful in distressing and injuring the friends of Christ. Such, then, were the apparent difficulties in the way of Paul’s conversion. Observe,
II. The Mercy which he obtained.
Mercy is the exercise of favor to the guilty and unworthy.
1. He obtained sparing mercy.
God showed forth all long-suffering. Contrast his case with that of the proud Pharaoh; the impious Herod; the apostate Julian. God did not smite him with his wrath, &c.
2. He obtained pardoning mercy.
God forgave all his sin. His mountain of iniquity became a plain. Jesus saved him from all his guilt. Blotted it out as a cloud, &c.
3. He obtained renewing mercy.
That which changed him; gave him a new heart; made him entirely a new creature. Now, a friend’97now, no longer a vulture, but a dove’97not a destroying lion, but a lamb.
4. He obtained exalting, distinguishing mercy.
Sin had plunged him deeply into wretchedness and misery. The grace of God exalted him as highly.
(1) He was exalted in knowledge.
(2) He was exalted in office’97became an apostle.
(3) In rich Christian experience.
(4) In extensive usefulness.
5. He obtained sustaining and preserving mercy.
He had many foes, many dangers, many sufferings; yet he was saved’97saved through all; and his end was happy and triumphant.
III. The great Ends Christ had in view in imparting Mercy to Paul.
1. He exhibited his own long-suffering.
How easily he could have disarmed the mad youth. How easily have broken him in pieces as a potter’s vessel. But his bowels yearned over him. His patience prevailed, &c. He was not indifferent-no! he felt every attack as done to him self, &c.
2. He exhibited the freeness and power of his grace.
To whom will he now deny it? On whom can it prove ineffectual when it has saved Paul?
3. As a pattern of the way of salvation to all.
Jesus saved Paul. He saved him through faith, repentance, baptism, and obedience See chap. ix. 8-19.
Application
Learn,
1. The sovereign power and grace of God. All resources and instruments are his. "He maketh his enemies," &c.
2. The encouragement the subject affords to the greatest of sinners. Yes, Jesus died for the chief of sinners. None need despair.
3. The connection of faith with eternal glory.
4. The great business of believers. To magnify divine grace. Let us sing of divine mercy. Talk of it. Recommend it.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS