"Though formerly ..."

CHRIST CHANGES LIVES (1 Timothy 1:13)

... though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief ....

Paul has outlined his call and charge, the sacred trust Christ has given him and the task for which He gives strength. Now the Apostle offers a kind of “truth-in-advertising” disclaimer, pointing to his own humanness in the form of a very sinful past, rebelling against God’s purpose and indeed seeking to stamp out the work of Christ.

Paul was a blasphemer. The word refers to someone who slanders God. By opposing Christ, Paul was opposing God Himself. By saying and doing terrible things against the Way, Paul had been deriding and disrespecting God.

He was a persecutor. The Greek means one who “pursues”, i.e., chases with a malicious intent. From house to house, city to city, Paul travelled with letters and instructions to oppose the Church. Yet Christ identifies with His Church; for as Jesus said, “For as much as you do it to one of the least of these, you do it to me.”

He acted in a fashion which was insolent. With the shiny-eyed focus of a True Believer, Paul knew that he was 100% right. There was no margin for moderation, mediation, meditation, or even new information – until the Lord Himself met Paul on that Damascus Road.

It has been said that there are a lot of “used-to-be’s”, a lot of “formerly’s”, in the Kingdom of God.
Thank God for that! Christ is able to transform lives wherever and whenever He encounters us. This is also a bulwark for each of us who are growing into discipleship as we take it to heart; for no matter how “advanced” one becomes, no matter how “perfect”, each of us is still a “formerly”. If it was true of Paul, it is true for each disciple since.

Lord, thank you for calling me from what I was, to what you will make me. The transformation has begun, but it is not yet complete. Keep me from complacency, or pride of achievement, or the self-righteousness which so easily takes hold. Let me be ablaze for you, as Paul was. In the Name of Christ. Amen.


Lusby, Maryland