I Timothy 1:12-17
12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. 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 trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
I am a sinner, you are a sinner, we are all sinners. We may want to deny this at times, but if we do, we then deny the opportunity for the gospel. As Paul says in verse 15, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost". It is okay to admit to being a sinner, in fact it is not just okay, it is necessary. Not only is admitting we need help the first step in a 12-step program, but it is the first step to accepting Jesus, to admit that we need a savior. Furthermore, there is no point in feeling like you are too "bad" of a sinner. Paul claimed to be "the foremost" (or biggest) of sinners. That awareness just caused him to be more thankful for all that God had done for him. So let's admit the ugly broken parts inside us, and accept God's mercy and "perfect patience" (verse 16).
God, thank you for Your perfect patience and mercy, and for saving me, a sinner.
12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. 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 trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
I am a sinner, you are a sinner, we are all sinners. We may want to deny this at times, but if we do, we then deny the opportunity for the gospel. As Paul says in verse 15, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost". It is okay to admit to being a sinner, in fact it is not just okay, it is necessary. Not only is admitting we need help the first step in a 12-step program, but it is the first step to accepting Jesus, to admit that we need a savior. Furthermore, there is no point in feeling like you are too "bad" of a sinner. Paul claimed to be "the foremost" (or biggest) of sinners. That awareness just caused him to be more thankful for all that God had done for him. So let's admit the ugly broken parts inside us, and accept God's mercy and "perfect patience" (verse 16).
God, thank you for Your perfect patience and mercy, and for saving me, a sinner.