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1^st Timothy 1:13

I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.

Most of us are in love with ourselves.  Sure, we love others too, but we love ourselves even more.  Such love sometimes blinds us of our faults, failings and insecurities.  We see ourselves in the mirror and can see what's on the outside, but what about the inside of our hearts and minds?  Are you able to identify your own sinful nature, or does pride and arrogance get in the way? 

In verse 13 of St. Paul's first letter to Timothy in chapter 1, Paul admits his problems.  It takes a lot of courage and, more importantly, God's grace, to do this.  It shows God is capable of anything.  If he can take Paul who was a blasphemer and persecutor of Christians, and turn him into the greatest preacher the world has seen, then God can do anything. What is troubling for me is that Paul didn't know Jesus, and freely pleaded ignorance in his unbelief.  He didn't know the grace that Jesus gave us, until he witnessed it.  For most all of us, we DO know it, or at least have been taught it, yet we still sin, still blaspheme, still persecute.  We are still arrogant, prideful, and selfish.  We think we can do everything ourselves.  We cannot plead ignorance.  We know better.  Therefore we should make a change in our lives today, so that we can be open to God's grace and mercy.