God saves the worst sinners. 1 Timothy 1:12-16

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I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 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. 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.
I don't know anyone who will agree with Paul on this passage. Really, Paul? Worst of sinners? I know you stoned Christians for confessing that Jesus is Lord, that you are a murderer (Acts 8:1), persecutor (1 Cor 15:9), and worst of all, blasphemer (Matt. 12:31; Lev. 24:15-16). But the worst of sinners? Really?

I think Paul didn't know me.

When I look at the iota of the law, I am ashamed. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

I am guilty.

Period.

Thankfully, as I am reminded again today, God doesn't condemn those of us who confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead as anything less than one of the redeemed (Rom. 10:9), one of the sheep (Matt. 25:31-46). We need to remind ourselves of this every day.

If you believe, you are saved.

Christian, don't let that period after 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 drag you down. Don't for a second think that you are anything less than Paul, who like you and me, has acted ignorantly in our times of unbelief. Keeping the traditions of our fathers -- in Biblical terms that could be rephrased as "following the Law" (Phil 3:6, Gal. 1:14) -- is good, because the law is good (1 Tim 1:8). But following the law most of the time and being a good person isn't good enough in God's eyes. Remember, Jesus + Nothing = True Gospel.

Good people don't go to heaven. Believers do!

That's Paul's point, again, in today's passage.

Jesus paid the penalty for your sin. God nailed your sin to the cross. Sin has been defeated for you. Your sin is washed away. Your sin is no more. Jesus has overcome sin, the cause of our decaying bodies. Jesus raised himself from the grave, and ascended into heaven, from which he will come again to rescue us from our dreadful bodies.

I, the worst of sinners, received mercy so that Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience. I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. I believe that God raised him from the dead. Therefore, I have confidence, as Scripture declares, that I am saved.

Do you believe, too? Don't doubt your salvation. God has promised to rescue you (Jer. 29:11). Jesus is preparing a place for you (John 14:3).

Just believe.


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