Paul was the exact opposite of what we often think is necessary for someone to be used by God. Many of the things that Paul just mentioned to Timothy, Paul was. But God poured out His grace abundantly on Paul and Paul's past or present behavior/lifestyle did not disqualify him from serving God.

A major element to consider though is that Paul was living this lifestyle in ignorance. He didn't know the way of grace. He was not intentionally rejecting the grace and truth of God. Those who know God's truth and still reject it - those are the ones who are not ready for service to God.

Now...what if I poured out grace on people who's lifestyle is less than perfect in light of God's truth? I am talking about those who just don't know yet. They might be Christians. They might not. They are learning. They are growing. They are changing. But there are still rough edges in their lifestyle.

I am thinking specifically about who we invite and encourage to serve in the church. Too often we see something about a person's lifestyle ... they drink, they party, they swear, they abuse money, they smoke, they are living with someone they are not married to, etc., etc., etc. And we disqualify them because of this. First of all - are they doing it intentionally to spite God or in direct defiance to what they know is God's truth? Many times not.

What if were God-like and poured out grace to them? (Whoa! Now there's a novel idea...to be God-like!)

How many unchurched or even immature Christians have been turned off from the church and subsequently turned off from seeking Christ because Christians have pointed their fingers at them and said, "Ummm, you can't volunteer until you clean up your life." Sadly, if Paul walked into many churches today, he would be disqualified from serving. Wow! Just think of what the church and ministry would be missing out on if we told Paul - "No. You must first clean up your life."

What if we poured out grace abundantly on them?

1 Timothy 1:12-14