Salvation of Sinners
.
1 Timothy 1:1-171. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2. To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3. As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4. nor to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies which promote speculations rather than the divine training that is in faith; 5. whereas the aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith. 6. Certain persons by swerving from these have wandered away into vain discussion, 7. desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions. 8. Now we know that the law is good, if any one uses it lawfully, 9. understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10. immoral persons, sodomites, kidnapers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11. in accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. 12. I thank him who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service, 13. though I formerly blasphemed and persecuted and insulted him; but I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14. and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; 16. but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Paul is just phenomenal! He is so certain of not only what he believes, but in whom. He knows at this point that he will be put to death, but urges Timothy to persevere. Beyond that, Paul reminds Timothy—and us—that each of us is a sinner. Every one of us. And that is where I have trouble sometimes. Of course I’ve sinned! But are my sins really as bad as those of others? Paul contends “sin is sin” and it’s all bad. But when we confess our sins God gives us “new life” in Jesus Christ.
Paul also reminds Timothy that he (Paul) was a blasphemer and worse. And that God chose him, and has used him as a powerful and undeniable testament to His power and the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God made us to be like Christ. Paul has dedicated his life (since being “saved”) to spreading the word of Christ crucified and mankind forgiven. Beyond that though, I picked up a definite admonition not to judge others in their sinfulness. Rather preach the Word, encourage others to turn to Christ, be loving and forgiving at all times.
Did I mention already that I have a real struggle with that last part? I can preach the Word all day long. I can encourage others to turn to Christ without hesitation, and I have been told I am a loving person. But that forgiveness word gets me every time! That was apparently the case in Ephesus, too. “ 15. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; 16. but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”
If it is because of Christ that we are forgiven, then we have no other choice. But that requires a lot of "giving it to God." A lot of prayer and reflection and patience. A lot of introspection. Kind of like the splinter and the log analogy.
We are sinners. Because we are forgiven, we are commanded to forgive. God knows it won’t be easy. But each time we forgive another for their transgressions, I think we move a bit closer to being like Christ. And that is a noble goal.
I hope you spend your day forgiving those who sin against you—and the world, striving to achieve Christ-like love and patience.
Mary
