The grace of God has the capacity to transform the life of any man. It can change anyone. Even “top-ranking” sinners—those with the most terrible lives—have been transformed by this grace.
The Testimony of the “Chief of Sinners”
Let us look at the book of 1 Timothy:
“According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy 1:11-15, KJV)
Paul was saying that he was the chief of all sinners. If they were to rank men classified as sinners, Paul would be number one; he would be the captain.
Every one of us has a story to tell. Every one of us has a past. We are products of the grace of God. Paul came from a past where, if not for grace, he would never have been considered worthy of the level at which he operated. He was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious.
Grace: More Than Kindness
Grace is not merely divine kindness or love; grace is the transforming power of God. It has the ability to alter a life and change an identity. It shifts purpose, expands capacity, and aligns a person’s destiny to the path of God.
Before he encountered Christ, Paul carried the identity of a persecutor. His purpose was to destroy the church, and he had the energy to do it. But when he encountered Christ, his identity and direction changed. The same energy he once used for destruction was now influenced and redirected by the grace of God.
The grace of God rewrites the stories of men. It reassigns and realigns purpose. It empowers for service and produces lasting fruit. Paul was not just teaching grace; he was exhibiting it. He was not just a “grace teacher”—he was showcasing, manifesting, and giving expression to it. For some, grace remains a subject or a title; for Paul, it was a life to be lived.
The Great “But”
1 Corinthians 15:8-10:
“And last of all he was seen of me also, as one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am…”
When Paul says “last of all,” it suggests his encounter with the Lord seemed late. However, that word “also” is vital. It means his life was not an exception; he, too, witnessed the life-transforming power of grace.
The word “but” in verse ten is the game-changer. Paul said he was not qualified or “meet” to be called an apostle, but the grace of God brought him into the equation. This grace can change the worst sinners and those whom society has written off. When the grace of God finds expression in a man’s life, he becomes another person entirely.
From the Bridge to the Pulpit
I have seen men who lived under bridges—men who used drugs all their lives. When they encounter the grace of God, He cleans them up. He cleans them not just spiritually, but physically. When God cleanses them, you see a beauty and handsomeness you could never have imagined.
The Bible says our sins are cast into the “sea of forgetfulness.” When that person stands before God, they can declare they have killed no man, because the “old man” has died.
A Thorough Cleaning
You are a candidate for God’s glory. He wants to use you as a vessel, but He cannot use a vessel He has not cleaned. This transformation is a “thorough cleaning”—a deep transformation from the inside out.
Before Paul ever fasted or prayed, he encountered grace. It was grace that put the burden and the ability to pray within him. Fasting and praying outside of grace is a non-entity. When Ananias went to meet him, he didn’t call him a murderer. Acts 9:17 says:
“…Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus… hath sent me.”
To call Saul “Brother” is the product of grace. That is what grace does—it welcomes you into the family. Today, people get angry if they aren’t called “Doctor” or “Apostle,” but “Brother” is the highest title in Christ. It means you are worthy to be part of the family of grace.
Grace as a Teacher
Finally, grace teaches us how to live. Titus 2:11-12 tells us that grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly and righteously.
Grace is a teacher. It teaches us to say “No.” “No” is a full sentence; it needs no explanation. Saying “no” to ungodliness saves your money and your life. It saves you from being in the wrong place during a raid; it saves you from financial crimes and from destroying your health.
Conclusion
If you open your heart to the grace of God, you cannot imagine what your life can become in the hands of Abba. Father God has plans for us; He wants to do with us what only He can do.
God’s grace is not minimal or reluctant; it is exceedingly abundant. God does not save grudgingly; He saves extravagantly and totally.