The Terrorist and the Cross

"Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God "(Romans 1:1).

As I prepared for this week’s Sunday message (you can search for me on YouTube), I paused at the first word of this verse and reminded myself about the author.

We might today call him a religious terrorist. That's not a point to gloss over. Here is his own testimony as he spoke before King Agrippa and the governor Festus: (Acts 26):

“So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities."

Why is it important that we know Paul’s history? Because God demonstrates through this man – as He has demonstrated to us again and again throughout history – no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy.

No one.

Then this morning, as I read Paul’s comment to Timothy, I thought once more of God’s astounding, most gracious promise of forgiveness. Here is what Paul wrote to Timothy: “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience . . . .” (2 Timothy 1:3)

Did you catch that? This former terrorist said he served God
“With a clear conscience"! How could that be, knowing what we know of his past?

The answer to that question is the same answer to anyone who has brought their sins – whatever the sins – to the foot of the Cross. “If we confess our sins,” another apostle wrote, “God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Do you want a clear conscience? Then with your heart, confess whatever sin it is that keeps you from entering into full fellowship and full intimacy with God. He did not lie when He promised to forgive the penitent. He is not toying with us when He swore to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He is being eternally honest and forthright when He tells us, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18).