1 Timothy 1:14-16

“The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”

Those are a few of my favorite verses and man is there a lot in them! Just in that first verse three things are talked about, grace, faith and love. In the book of Ephesians it is written “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith . . .” In my opinion, this verse in Ephesians really emphasizes the point that Paul is trying to make. God’s grace is poured out in such a fashion that all people it at their fingertips, if they so choose to accept it. The grace is so abundant because of the faith that we have in Him. To add to that though is something even more. That something is love. It’s not just love between you and Christ, but that love is to be spread between you and your friends, and your family, and even your enemies. Love is to be encompassed with all people no matter what. No matter how hard it may be. This is how great that love is to be. The book of Luke says, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” That is one great love, loving others just as you love yourself.

That is all great, but Paul goes on. The next verse goes on to say that Christ came to save sinners. And he goes even deeper. Paul admits his faults by saying that Christ came to save sinners- “of whom I (Paul) am the worst.” WOW! Paul is telling us here that out of everyone in this world, he is the worst of all sinners. So let me ask a question. Do you agree? Is Paul the worst of sinners?

I have to agree, yes Paul is the worst of sinners, but at the same time, so am I. It is written in the book of Psalms “If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord who could stand?” Thankfully the Lord does not keep a record of all my sins, or yours or anyone else’s. But each one of us is equally sinful and therefore is equally the worst of sinners. (That is my opinion and if I am wrong please correct me.)

The last verse really hits to home though. Paul talks about Christ’s patience, belief in Him and the ultimate prize. That belief and patience and prize to me are all wrapped into a few verses in the book of John. They are probably pretty familiar to you. They read, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world though him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” It comes around full circle, the abundant grace that is poured out for us, the faith we have in Christ and the love we have for Him and He for us has given us the opportunity to receive the ultimate prize. Eternal life in heaven. “Christ came into this world to save sinners- of whom I am the worst.” And I am thankful for that, and pray that each and every one of you are too.