1 Timothy 1:12-17
God does not expect of us to only know him theoretically, but experientially. Everything begins with Jesus Christ and what he has done in our lives. It is in and through the gospel that God reveals his character to us, cultivating a posture leading to a life of gratitude, humility and worship. Paul sets an example for us by explicitly thanking God for his own experience in meeting Christ who revealed the gospel to him and commissioned him for service. Everything he became was a gift from God, he did nothing to earn it. We ought to thank God for everything that happens in our lives as Christians, not only for the circumstances of our lives, but for our salvation even though we were sinners. We should have humility as we did not deserve to be saved but was saved only by God’s mercy and grace. We have no claim to merit, because we did not contribute anything to our own salvation. Our approach to people that we share the gospel with, regardless of their background, should be that if God could save us, he surely can save anybody. When you remember where you were and where you are now, you cannot help but worship God. Our society tries to get us to worship yourself, but the answer is to forget yourself and to look to God in worship for the miracle he worked in your life. A Message by Thapelo Mpai.