Young People's Group

“And I Thank Christ Jesus Our Lord”

by Mitchell Tan
June 24, 2016

HAVING DEEP GRATITUDE FOR THE GRACE GIVEN IN LIFE AND MINISTRY

Grace is a key word in Paul’s writings. It appears more than 85 times in all of his epistles. The reason was because grace was very real and personal to him. If it were not for the grace of the Lord, Paul would not be in ministry at all. And this was something that he was very thankful for as he wrote in 1 Timothy 1:12:

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord”

The word “thank” in Greek has the idea of grace. Paul was full of gratitude towards the Lord Jesus for the grace that was given to him. Grace can be simply defined as the unmerited favour of our Lord. Paul gave thanks for the Lord Jesus in being greatly involved in his life. It was only by His grace that that he had become a great servant of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:10). There are three ways by which we can appreciate the Lord’s grace in Paul’s life.

1. THE LORD’S GRACE IN APPOINTING PAUL IN MINISTRY

“Putting me into the ministry”
1 Timothy 1:12

The word “putting” in Greek has the idea of “appointment”. The Lord Jesus specially chose and appointed Paul for the ministry. Despite his being vehemently set against the Christians, the Lord was still gracious to him. The Lord saved him and placed him into the ministry. The Lord Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus and he was specially “hand-picked” to be a minister and a witness for Him (Acts 26:16). This was his calling and destiny. It was his great privilege in being chosen to serve the Lord Jesus Christ for the rest of his life.

2. THE LORD’S GRACE IN COUNTING HIM FAITHFUL

“Because He counted me faithful”
1 Timothy 1:12

Before Paul even started his ministry, the Lord Jesus already counted him faithful. This was indeed His grace at work. He had esteemed Paul as one who was totally trustworthy in service. He will be His faithful witness to all men of what he had seen and heard (Acts 22:15). The Lord was able to see Paul as one who would work hard and be faithful to the ministry till the end. True enough, he was neither disobedient nor unfaithful to the heavenly vision (Acts 26:19). Young people, can we be also counted on to be faithful in serving the Lord?

3. THE LORD’S GRACE IN ENABLING HIM

“Who has enabled me”
1 Timothy 1:12

The word “enabled” in Greek has the idea of “being strengthened”. It was the grace of the Lord Jesus that strengthened Paul as he served. Ministry can be most demanding. Throughout his ministry, it was the Lord’s grace that strengthened him. At the beginning of his ministry, he increased all the more in strength and confounded the Jews at Damascus that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 9:22). When he had a “thorn in the flesh”, it was the Lord’s grace that was sufficient for him to be strong enough to press on (2 Corinthians 12:9). Towards the end of his ministry, when no one stood with him, it was the Lord Jesus who stood with him and strengthened him (2 Timothy 4:17). Paul was enabled to do all that he needed to do. He learnt how to be strong in the Lord. Young people, let’s also learn to be strong in the Lord in all that we do in life and ministry. Let’s have faith in His grace to enable us.

Back to Article Listing