Overflowing grace
by Neil Bergmann
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The grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 12:14).
In the books of 1 and 2 Timothy, Paul is writing to Timothy to encourage him in his ministry. We are all called to encourage each other as we participate in God’s mission to love and redeem the world. At the same time, we look to promote a spirit of humility in our faith communities. We don’t celebrate the things that we have done. Instead, we celebrate what God is doing through his church, and we continually give thanks for God’s love and grace.
This is not the way the world works. We continually give awards for sports, academic achievement, military service, best book, best portrait, best movie, best restaurant, even awards for just participating. The world values winners; the world values the best and brightest. We compete to have better stuff than our neighbours and friends. In the world’s eyes, our success depends on our own efforts. Some even believe that worldly success is a reward for how strong our Christian faith is.
Jesus teaches a different way. The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. Paul explains in today’s reading how this applies to his ministry. Saul was the worst possible candidate for God’s missionary. He hated Christians, and he hated Jesus, but God had different plans. When Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was blinded by overflowing love and grace. Everything changed, even his name. Now, Paul channels his gifts of determination and courage to spread that love and grace.
Jesus ushered in the topsy-turvy kingdom of heaven, where everybody is valued and loved – not just the brightest and the best. We don’t need to pass an exam or run faster than everybody else to get the prize. Jesus has already won the prize of eternal life and shares it freely with us all.
Merciful God, we give you thanks that you can use sinful, broken people like us in your mission to the world. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.
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