I Timothy 1:15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Paul had a tendency as he wrote his letters to come upon a thought and seemingly midstream take off on some side trail that ended in praise, making one think that he was ending his letter abruptly with some prayer or benediction, when he really needed to take that thought to its logical conclusion, which is Christ. Here, as he dwells on the Incarnation of Christ, His Advent, His first coming which we celebrate, he is moved to pause and consider why Christ came: to save sinners like him. This moves him to consider the very character of God: His Mercy, His Patience, and His Power to save. This can lead him (and us) to no other place but praise. Again, he dwells on the character of God: His sovereignty , eternity, invisibility, and holiness. There truly is no other like Him Who sent His Son to save us from our sins. May we get as caught up in that thought as Paul did here, reflecting on Christ coming.
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