When you were marching to hell!
(Thomas Watson, "The Mischief of Sin")
"Even though I was once a blasphemer and a
persecutor and a violent man, I was shown
mercy." 1 Timothy 1:13
Literally, "I was bemercied." Christians, why might not
you have been in the number of those who persist in
sinning? Because God has bemiracled you with mercy!
See what cause you have to admire the stupendous
goodness of God, who has wrought a change in you
—and checked you in your full career of sin!
Christians, you who are vessels of election—were by
nature as wicked as others—but God had compassion
on you and plucked you as brands out of the fire! He
stopped you in your course of sinning—when you
were marching to hell! He turned you back to
Him by sincere repentance. Oh, here is the banner
of love displayed over you!
Behold sovereign grace! Let your hearts melt in love
to God. Admire His royal bounty. Set the crown of all
your praises, upon the head of free grace! "By the
grace of God I am what I am!" 1 Corinthians 15:10