1 Timothy 1:13b – Man’s Plan, God’s Mercy

Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh. (Grok)

… I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 

Summary: Paul’s confession of his actions before meeting Jesus Christ is a helpful reference point for us.   

When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, he chose Moses to lead them. In the story, Moses is not some superhero who comes out of nowhere. He has what is called a “back story.” He was born in Egypt during a time of persecution (Exodus 1:8-14). He survives a royal edict to kill all male children (Exodus 1:22). He has an older sister, Miriam, and an older brother, Aaron (Numbers 26:59). 

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1 Timothy 1:13a – A Single Blast of Light

Man looking worried as he enters an office full of people. (Grok)

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man …

Summary: The change in Paul that occurred on the road to Damascus is not all that different than what we commonly call a “wake up call.”  

How does a person go from seeing himself as a virtuous defender of “All That Is Right” one day, and the next, find themselves believing that their whole life has been a horrible mistake?

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