Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy 1:16-17 - Purpose of God’s Mercy

Paul understood his need and, for this reason, he “found mercy.” He then stated the primary reason that he found that mercy. It wasn’t so that he could go to heaven instead of hell. It wasn’t so that he could bring the gospel to the Gentiles. It wasn’t so that he could be the most prolific writer of New Testament documents. It was so that “Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”As important as all the things Paul did were, God could have used someone else for those purposes. The primary purpose of salvation, his our ours, is to display God’s grace, power, and patience and to produce a true worshiper of God. The primary reason we are saved is for God’s glory. Whatever benefit we receive is secondary.