Most if not all of us would agree that the times we live in today are spiritually much darker than they were 20 years ago. So many people today are dealing with a variety of overwhelming issues. What we are seeing is nothing less than the ramped-up works of the devil. The Bible says he is the prince of the power of the air, which is the spirit at work in the children of disobedience (Eph. 2:2).

The good news is that God’s saving power is just as real and powerful today as it was in the days of Jesus and the apostles. In this episode, Frank King addresses God’s power to save sinners.

In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he refers to himself as the chief of sinners. Before his conversion, Paul hated those who loved Christ. This means Paul, then known as Saul, was a terrible person. In his epistle, he also refers to himself as a blasphemer, a persecutor and injurious (1 Timothy 1:13, KJV).

On the other hand, that very fact makes Paul’s salvation experience the perfect example of God’s power to save sinners.

What is the main point we should take away from Paul’s salvation experience? He writes, “For this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” (verse 16, KJV).

In the verse, Paul highlights God’s longsuffering. What is longsuffering? It is the ability to hold your peace while being provoked. Can you imagine how Paul’s actions before his conversion must have provoked the Lord? But God remained patient with Paul.

Paul said God did that as a pattern or an example for other unbelievers going forward. You see, one of the reasons for the Lord’s tarry today is His longsuffering toward the lost. And Paul said God saved him as an example of His longsuffering. He was chief of the sinners. Accordingly, he was the perfect example of God’s power to save sinners.

Some unbelievers believe they are too bad for God to be interested in them. But if they seriously consider Paul the apostle’s experience, they might have a change of heart.

Also, if you are reading this post, and you don’t know the Lord as your Savior, know that God is more than able to save you and use you for His glory.  For the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).