This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
People can feel so guilt-ridden by their past that they think God could never forgive and accept them. But consider Paul's past. He had scoffed at the teachings of Jesus ("a blasphemer") and hunted down and murdered God's people ("a persecutor and a violent man") before coming to faith in Christ (Acts 9:1-9). God forgave Paul and used Paul mightily for His kingdom. No matter how shameful your past, God also can forgive and use you.
We may feel that our faith in God and our love for Christ and for others is inadequate. But we can be confident that Christ will help our faith and love grow as our relationship with Him deepens. Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and no sinner is beyond His saving power (Luke 5:32). Jesus didn't come merely to show us how to live a better life or to challenge us to be better people.
We may feel that our faith in God and our love for Christ and for others is inadequate. But we can be confident that Christ will help our faith and love grow as our relationship with Him deepens. Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and no sinner is beyond His saving power (Luke 5:32). Jesus didn't come merely to show us how to live a better life or to challenge us to be better people.
Paul summarized the heart of the gospel (1Timothy 1:11): Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. World refers to all humanity. Save means to deliver or rescue. Christ came to die for the sins of humanity. Paul saw the degradation of sin and understood the sinfulness of human beings. Because of this, Paul placed himself first among sinners.
Paul calls himself "the worst" of sinners. We think of Paul as a great hero of the faith, but Paul never saw himself that way, because he remembered his life before he met Christ. The more Paul understood God's grace, the more he was aware of his own sinfulness. Humility and gratitude should mark the life of every Christian. Never forget that you too are a sinner saved only by the grace of God.
Over 185 times in the New Testament the sole condition given for salvation is belief, having faith or trust in Jesus Christ. The gospel is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day. All those who place their trust in Jesus for salvation will be saved from the coming judgment. To add any other condition to faith for salvation is to make justification a matter of works (Romans 11:6; Galatians 2:16). Jesus came to offer us salvation that leads to eternal life.
Let me ask you this question today-- Have you accepted His free offer?
References: NKJV Holy Bible, Life Application Bible (NIV), the Nelson Study Bible.
21 comments:
Praise God, yes I did, 28 years ago, but I made it so difficult for so long, when it was really very simple.
Amen, Amen! Thanks for sharing, brother.
People who don't understand get so caught up in bitter attitudes towards born-again believers. They seem to think it's all for show and they think that because we seem to love righteousness we must be judging them but we're not. I for one hope that all my old friends could be like me Acts 26:29.
Anyways, keep on sharing like you do. God bless, Mrs. A
PS: I know your a prayer warrior. I posted the other day on my blog about a young girl who really needs prayers.
Yes He does! And thank God for Yeshua :-)
I was once a sinner, but now I am victorious through the love and grace of my Beloved Savior. God is good!
~Val
Yes he does, he saves sinners:)
you had a good May Day?
God Bless you
Hello Lloyd, I need to get my eldest son to read this..He is really feeling down and believing lies from the enemy. No one is more beautiful of heart than he. Yet, he feels he is nothing. Currently I have come to visit and encourage him, yet he is in the depths of despair.. I am praying he gets a release in he next twenty four hours. God Bless. Crystal
Just praying here for God's protection over you and family bro. Lloyd as you continue to share the Truth. Praying many will come by and their hearts be open to His Word. Thank you for always encouraging me and for praying for me. I have a long battle at work going on but I know lies would be revealed as it is teaching me to grow in character at the same time. Glory be to God! God bless you abundantly.
I became a Christian 58 years ago. I was 10 years old. I was baptized on my 11th birthday. You have a wonderful blog. God Bless You.
Hiya Lloyd. This is a post I really needed today. He came to save me not only to show me a better way to live. Yes I do feel inadequate and yes I have accepted his forgiveness but as you probably know accepting that the Lord God almighty could possibly love a sinner like me is a bit different. But He says he does so I'm trusting in what He said. My love goes out to you and your family today, Geoff.
Lloyd, this is a wonderful post. It is a clear example of the transformation of a sinner becoming a server of God and being saved by his grace. He makes it possible for everyone without any distinction.
Have a wonderful week :)
Isn't it wonderful that Jesus didn't come for the good people but just for the wicked and needy, as he says in Luke 5:31-32? "And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. As Paul says I Timothy 1:15, he can save the worst. "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."
Great post.
Thank you for joining my blog Faith, Hope and Love and inviting me to join yours! Your blog is great!
Amen, Lloyd
Yes; I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior at the age of 17 in a Baptist Church in a small Ne town. I still remember walking forward and hyave never been the same since:-) Thank you Jesus!
P.S. It is a blessing to see a post where the word sin is even mentioned - our churches today seem to have a way of leaving that word our of their vocabulary -like they don't want to offend anybody. Not good.
Amen Lloyd!
Nothing more needs to be added to that message! The gospel is clear, it's for everyone, and it is received by faith. I love God's simplicity, and how He leveled te playing field! Thank you for the reminder.
Hi friend,great post you have here.It's really nice to be back once more to your lovely blog.
Hope you good.It has been a while we since connected so I decided to pass by and say hello and also let you know that, I have just posted the "5" steps to mind liberation so come check it up and comment. Will be following you and expecting to share and learn from you respectively.Have a wonderful and fruitful day hoping to hear from your lovely self again. A million thanks in advance.
EBENEZER ADOKWEI
(EBENDY)
Awesome reminder to not neglect our salvation and to share the good news to others. Thanks for being a blessing again!
Faith without works is dead.
James 2:14-26
A man who does not good works has no faith and has rejected Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ said "Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to thee? 45 Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me. 46 And these shall go into everlasting punishment" Matt 25 44:45
We may feel that our faith in God and our love for Christ and for others is inadequate
"The more Paul understood God's grace, the more he was aware of his own sinfulness. Humility and gratitude should mark the life of every Christian."
Powerful words. Thank you :)
So thankful he saved this one sinner.....Life without Christ ...I do not ever want to live again.....God Bless!
it's amazing and wonderful how god forgives us all, isn't it?
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