“for a pattern to them”

1 Timothy 1.16

It’s much easier to make something if we have a pattern!  Or a recipe!  These things help us if we’re trying to make something, or cook something.  That’s what Paul is saying God did with his life.  God made his life a pattern for others to follow.

“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” 1 Timothy 1:16

Are we a Christian?  Have we “obtained mercy”?  Has the Lord Jesus Christ been patient and longsuffering with us?  If so – Amen!  Then, like Paul, our lives should be a pattern, a guide, for other people to follow!

Could someone else figure out how to get to heaven by watching our life?  Can they see how our lives have changed and been helped by a God who is kind and loving and patient?  Does Christ “show forth” from our lives?  Can people see that we are growing in Christ?

“for a pattern to them”

Let’s be “a pattern” to everyone around us, so that they can also “believe on him to life everlasting.”

Let’s pray that our lives are so easy to follow and understand – so that anyone could pick up the pattern of our life and soon be able to put on the new life in Christ and a robe of the righteousness of Christ!

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:24

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness…” Isaiah 61:10