Mercy Requires High Standards

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Opening Prayer

Lord, restore my vision and empower my resolve to live as Your obedient follower.

Read 1 Timothy 1:12-20

^[12] I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ^[13] Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ^[14] The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ^[15] Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. ^[16] But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ^[17] Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. ^[18] Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, ^[19] holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. ^[20] Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Meditate

“God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you there. He wants you to be just like Jesus” (Max Lucado). Experiencing grace and mercy can help make this happen.

Think Further

There are some who think that to show mercy requires a lowering of standards or an ignoring of the truth. But not Paul. He admits that he “was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man” (13), and he makes no attempt at self-justification. To the contrary, he brings Jesus Christ to the center (12), recognizing that in Christ he was forgiven and transformed (14). He was truly shown grace and mercy (13).

In order to fully experience grace, it is necessary to raise the standards, not to lower them. The problem is that no one can live by high standards. The point is that the person can be transformed by Jesus Christ’s grace. Grace does not keep the person in the same condition. Rather, it takes the individual out of the grip of standards through a process of transformation (15-16).

Paul is expecting of Timothy, a church leader, to keep high standards as he shows grace (18-20). To stand firm in his responsibility, Timothy needed to fight (18). This fight can be seen in two dimensions: One is to remember the truth personally or in community (18). The second dimension is more proactive, namely “holding on to faith and a good conscience” (19). To be responsible is to take initiative in applying systems of faith and value external to the individual that will lead to life.

But there are the blasphemers, the ones for whom all is about personal opinion and personal desires. They live ruled by personal preferences and even justify their conducts by any means, including lies and deceit (20). When Christians become like the surrounding culture, standards are lowered and true mercy and grace are not shown. We are not exercising grace when we become complacent with the culture and approve any behavior under the excuse of “being loving.”

Apply

How can your church “pour grace abundantly” (14) upon everyone in society? How can you show grace to others?

Closing prayer

Loving Father, I thank You for showing me Your grace and mercy. I want be merciful toward others, as Jesus was.

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