Monday, April 9 I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent man.​—1 Tim. 1:13.

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, April 9

I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent man.—1 Tim. 1:13.

 

When Jehovah observes humans, he does not pay attention to outward appearances. Rather, he examines the heart, the inner person. (1 Sam. 16:7b) This fact was amply demonstrated when God formed the Christian congregation. He drew to himself and his Son many individuals who from a human standpoint might have seemed to be undesirable. (John 6:44) One such person was a Pharisee named Saul. “The examiner of hearts,” however, did not see Saul as useless clay. (Prov. 17:3) Instead, God saw that he could be molded into a desirable vessel—in fact, “a chosen vessel” to bear witness “to the nations as well as to kings and the sons of Israel.” (Acts 9:15) Others whom God saw as potential vessels “for an honorable use” included former drunkards, immoral people, and thieves. (Rom. 9:21; 1 Cor. 6:9-11) As they gained accurate knowledge of God’s Word and expressed faith, they allowed Jehovah to mold them. w16.06 1:4