Judged Faithful

Sacred Gifts and Holy Gatherings
Four Weddings and a Funeral

A Bride Worth Waiting For

1 Timothy 1:12-19  The Message

^12-14 I’m so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. The only credentials I brought to it were invective and witch hunts and arrogance. But I was treated mercifully because I didn’t know what I was doing—didn’t know Who I was doing it against! Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus.

^15-19 Here’s a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I’m proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.

Deep honor and bright glory
    to the King of All Time—
One God, Immortal, Invisible,
    ever and always. Oh, yes!

I’m passing this work on to you, my son Timothy. The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we’re in.

For Reflection 

God will make us all adequate to do God's work.  Like Paul, we don't have to be borne into the faith.  We don't need to feel that we are unworthy.  When we acknowledge God and take on the cloak of Jesus, we will be prepared to do the work of prophets and healers.

Pray

so that you can retain a firm grip on whom you speak for.  Pray for courage.  Pray for opportunity.  Pray for unreasonable trust in the will and presence of God.