It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
— 1 Timothy 1:15 —
D. K. | Asia
Most people in this world do not like to speak of themselves as bad or sinful. Yet, in our verse there is this shocking statement, coming from none other than the esteemed apostle Paul. He wasn’t exaggerating, because he knew his own heart well. He did not forget the pit of sin that he was drawn from and exemplifies for us an important reality. This reality is the breeding ground of gratefulness (1 Tim. 1:12) and humble worship (1 Tim. 1:17). When we live with self-confidence we are useless to God A Christian who brags of himself or his work has forgotten that it is God’s grace alone through Christ alone that makes him who he is. God did not save Paul simply to take him to heaven. He also did not save him just to preach the gospel. God could have used many others to do His work. The purpose of Paul’s salvation was to showcase God’s grace, power, and patience. It was also for this reason that Paul found mercy. We are also the chief of sinners in our time, saved only by the grace of God in Christ. Before salvation, we had a faulty view of self as good and worthy before God and men. But this verse humbles us both in ministry and life. When we live with self-confidence we are useless to God, but when our confidence is in God’s strength and grace we are vessels fit for His service. A truly born again Christian will confess that he is a sinner and even the foremost!
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