This is one of my favorite verses in all of the Bible. If
you are around me much, I say that about a lot of verses. This one is special
to me, however, and not just to me. It is special to millions of Christians. No
doubt it had become a favorite saying of Christians in the early church, and
Paul took it to make it part of Holy Scripture under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit. Paul called it “faithful” and “worthy of acceptance.” What exactly does
that mean? It means that, like all Scripture, it is trustworthy. In fact, Paul
makes this particular claim five times in what are called the Pastoral
Epistles. These letters (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus) are geared more to
pastors than anyone else.
But these five sayings aren’t just for pastors. They are
cherished teachings of the church that when trusted and accepted lead to the
saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. These sayings have the power to transform
lives. Look at this first saying: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners.” If Jesus had been caught up in our modern day push to develop mission
statements, this would have been His. I can see it now: Emmanuel Evangelism
Ministry – Come to save sinners!” I know that is kind of silly, but it sums up Jesus’
mission.
It is easy for us to lose sight of this very specific
purpose because Jesus did so many things. He taught powerful lessons that help
everyone who chooses to follow them. He did amazing miracles that changed the
lives of all He touched. And everything He did was for the purpose of bringing
lost people into the Kingdom of God. We need to learn from this in the church:
everything we do should be for the purpose of leading lost people to Jesus
because only He can save.
So take this to heart: Jesus came to save sinners. That is
why He died. That is why He rose again. It’s all about sins being forgiven, but
that only happens when we admit that we are sinners in need of a Savior. That
Jesus is the only Savior that died for our sins. That salvation is His gift to
all who believe in Him and confess that He is Lord.
Look at that last phrase. Paul claimed for himself the
designation of “chief sinner.” But do you want to know the truth? Every lost
person feels that way when they come under the convicting power of the Holy
Spirit. Regardless of what your sins have been, when you recognize that you
have rebelled against Perfect Love, you cannot help but feel the overwhelming
guilt and shame that makes you believe that you are the worst of the worse –
that no one else could possibly have broken God’s heart like you have. But the
good news is that all of that disappears in a flash when Perfect Love washes
awayyour sin and replaces it with His Righteousness.
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