“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). Many of us delay repenting because we believe that we truly do not deserve mercy and can think of no logical reason for Christ to forgive us for the things we have done. One thing that may help us to overcome these doubts and insecurities is to follow the example of Paul and consider that Christ may bestow mercy on us for reasons that have nothing to do with us personally. We may think we are being humble when we are denying the Savior’s grave as we insist that we are unworthy and undeserving of Mercy. But it takes real humility to recognize that it is not just about us, that Christ may have greater purposes for forgiving us than merely making us feel better. The more heinous our crimes, the deeper our stains, the more undeserving our forgiveness, the greater faith and hope can Christ inspire in them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting. We can not always make right the wrongs we have committed or pay back all those whom we have harmed, but that does not mean that no good can come from our mistakes. If we sometimes feel, like Paul, that of all sinners we are chief among them, that simply means that we have given Chris the opportunity to show forth all longsuffering, and hold us up as shining examples of redemption to all those who come after us and who are equally lost and afraid that they are unworthy of obtaining mercy. If our redemption story inspires others to repent and come unto Christ, then this is the good that can come from our mistakes, this is the cause for which we obtain mercy. The full power of the Atonement can only take effect once we’ve allowed the grace of Jesus Christ to flow through us as we share our story of forgiveness and inspire others to also seek out the power of the Atonement in their lives.
