What Paul meant in calling himself the chief of sinners, and why the Lord showed such mercy to him. His testimony is set as the first of millions that would give gospel light and guard faithful churches from nominalism (or believing without experiencing true conversion).

The moral law was intended to show our need of forgiveness. Believers are not under its power to condemn, but salvation has inscribed its positive virtues in our hearts to be our 'voluntary' aim and longing - the highest mark of grace.

Our aim is the building up of the church by Gospel and teaching. Paul provides this great summary of all Bible teaching, the servicing of the three pillars that support love: a pure heart, a good conscience and faith unfeigned. Here is how.

Why does Paul here use terms that refer to conversion to also describe what God imparts to converted people? The same benefits advance holiness, happiness, instrumentality and assurance, and here is how they may be hindered or helped as they flow to us.

'For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.'

'The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.'

'Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.'

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things…

'And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.'

'Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.'