“Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” –and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; He alone is God. Amen.”
– 1 Timothy 1:14-17 (NLT)
This short set of scripture, written by the Apostle Paul, speaks volumes.
I know that there have been seasons in my life where I had felt hopeless. I felt as though I had messed up beyond forgiveness. The shame was too much. I felt like the worst of the worst.
Can you relate? Have you been there before? Or are you struggling with those feelings now?
But, I will exclaim with Paul, “Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was!” Jesus came into the world to save us, and to change us. No longer the worst of the worst, but made right with God.
“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT)
I pray that these words speak life and hope into you.
Linking up with Purposeful Faith
© Vision61 Ministries
Vision61 Ministries 
Shame is suffocating. The enemy loves to use shame to strip us of hope, but greater is He Who is in us! So thankful for God’s infinite love and grace.
Stopping by from #raralinkup.
God bless!
I am too so thankful for His love and grace. He redeems and restores.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
Blessings!
So true- condemnation is a constant struggle, but thank God for his forgiveness and grace. I don’t deserve it, but He gives it freely! Blessings:)
That is the beauty of grace — we don’t deserve any good thing from Him, yet He gives freely to those who just trust and follow Him.
Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!!
Thank you Jesus for coming for me – a sinner. And, one who sins all the time. Wow. He is so good. Thank you for your encouraging and truth-centered words here. Cheering you! Thanks for joining the Purposeful Faith Linkup too!
Shame is really hard to overcome. At least it has been for me. There was a time where I felt the things I did were too much for God to forgive. Now I know that is not true. But then I was struggling with depression and post traumatic stress disorder. I could not see how forgiveness could possibly make my dark clouds go away. I’m still working through forgiving myself. I have come along way. The dark clouds don’t chase me down as much as they use too. Healing is a process. I’m learning to be patient with myself and give myself grace. The key thing that turned me around, was realizing that I had a choice to accept what Jesus did on the cross for me or to continue rejecting His gift of salvation. I was rejecting His gift to me. I was rejecting what He did on the cross. I have always believed in Jesus. I could no longer reject His complete love for me. Now I am learning what life looks like with the completeness of Jesus. It truly is a love story.
Lisa, thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Yes, it is a process. And I am so thankful that God has been so patient and has extended His mercy and grace.
Blessings!!