DAILY TEXT, From today Sunday April 9, 2023, Before he was a blasphemer and a persecutor (1 Tim. 1:13).

DAILY TEXT, Sunday April 9, 2023, Before I was a blasphemer and a persecutor (1 Tim. 1:13).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Sunday April 9

Before he was a blasphemer and a persecutor (1 Tim. 1:13).

Surely at times the Apostle Paul felt very guilty about his past. He said that he was “the worst” of sinners, and rightly so (1 Tim. 1:15). Before learning the truth, he cruelly persecuted Christians in many cities, putting some in jail and supporting the execution of others (Acts 26:10, 11). Let's imagine that in the past he supported the execution of a Christian couple and now he knew his son. How would it have felt? Pablo regretted his mistakes, but he knew that he could not change the past. Convinced that Christ had died for him, he confidently wrote: “By the undeserved kindness of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:3, 10). What do we learn? That we have to convince ourselves that Christ died for each one of us and thus made it possible for us to have a personal friendship with Jehovah (Acts 3:19). What counts with God is what we do now and in the future, not the mistakes we made in the past (Is. 1:18). w21.04 23 par. eleven.

WHAT WE LEARN FROM THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL

What problems did Paul have?

Do we carry so many responsibilities that sometimes we feel that we cannot handle them all? The apostle Paul felt the same way. He said that he was concerned not for one congregation, but "for all congregations" (2 Cor. 11:23-28). Do we suffer from a chronic disease that often robs us of joy? Paul was very frustrated because he could not get rid of a certain "thorn in the flesh", perhaps some health problem (2 Cor. 12: 7-10). Do we feel discouraged by our imperfections? Paul sometimes too. He said that he was very unhappy because all the time he had to fight to do what is right (Rom. 7:21-24).

What helped Paul to continue serving Jehovah despite the problems?

Despite so many trials and difficulties, Paul continued to serve Jehovah. Where did he get the strength from? Although he was very aware of his shortcomings, he had unwavering faith in the rescue. In addition, he was well aware of Jesus' promise that everyone who shows faith in him will have eternal life (John 3:16; Rom. 6:23). There was no doubt that Paul had faith in the ransom. He was convinced that Jehovah is willing to forgive even those who have committed serious sin if they are repentant (Ps. 86: 5).

What do Paul's words recorded in Galatians 2:20 teach us?

Paul had faith that God loved him very much because he knew that God had sent Jesus to die for him. Notice the comforting words at the end of Galatians 2:20 (read it). Paul said: “The Son of God […] loved me and gave himself up for me”. Paul did not think that God's love for him had a limit, as if to say: "I understand why Jehovah loves my brothers, but it is impossible for him to love me." In fact, he reminded the Romans: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). God's love has no limits.

What does Romans 8:38, 39 teach us?

(Read Romans 8:38, 39.) Paul was totally convinced of the power of God's love. He wrote that nothing "can separate us from the love of God." He knew that Jehovah had been very patient with the nation of Israel. And he also knew that she had shown mercy to him. In a nutshell, Paul was saying, “If the Lord sent his Son to die for me, I have no reason to doubt that he loves me” (Rom. 8:32).

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