1 Timothy 1:12-20
If anyone could compare the bondage of the law with the gospel of grace, that man was truly the Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus, who became the apostle Paul. His faithfulness to the law had in no way prevented him from being the chief of sinners. Had he not persecuted the Lord Jesus by persecuting so harshly those who belonged to Him? Without false humility, he pronounces himself worse than all the sinners listed in vv. 9, 10. But it was just such guilty people and not righteous people that Christ Jesus came to save (Matthew 9:13). Since the chief of sinners has been saved, no one can say that he is too sinful to benefit from grace. "I obtained mercy" the apostle declares on two occasions (vv. 13, 16). He measures the greatness of this mercy by the greatness of his own wretched condition and worship rises spontaneously from his heart (v. 17). If we often appreciate grace so little, the reason is perhaps that our conviction of sin is not sufficiently deep. "To whom little is forgiven (or at least who thinks so), the same loveth little" (Luke 7:47). And you friend, who are still indifferent, the Lord’s patience has been shown toward you too up to this moment. Do not make Him wait any longer. Tomorrow may be too late.