Who is the Worst Sinner?

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:15-17 (NIV)

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Devotion:

            Today, we consider a scripture that addresses a real problem in our culture and even in our churches today. Pride. Here is the great Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul himself writing to Timothy. He tells him that he, Paul, is the worst of sinners. That Paul was a sinner there is no doubt. The stoning of Steven and persecuting the church qualify him to be a great sinner. However, in this scripture, he writes in the present tense.

            Paul was a very humble man. He believed in the full forgiveness of his sins by the blood of his savior, Jesus Christ. Instead of letting the good works of his life after the Damascus Road experience go to his head, he went about humbly, counting others greater than himself. This reveals a fault that many today suffer from. Especially Christians suffer under the delusion that once they have received Christ, their days as a terrible sinner are over.

            Most Christians try hard not to sin anymore but live lives pleasing to their Savior. Paul teaches elsewhere, however, that “there is no one righteous, not even one.” We, as Christians, are not sinless. Hopefully, we sin less than those who do not follow Christ, but even this modest statement may not always be true. I, for one, am a great sinner, possibly the worst, yet even I sometimes let my pride get the better of me, and I boast of my righteousness. I often have a log in my eye while I seek to remove a speck from my brother or sister’s eye.

            Thank God for His unfailing love and mercy. He is patient with me, as Paul says in verse 16. Without God's steadfast love and forgiveness, we would be without hope in the world. However, the Christian walks as one who is saved from their sins. We should all join Paul in his hymn of praise in verse 17. We can be encouraged that even if we slip and fall, we can be assured that God still loves us. Let us praise the Lord.

Prayer:

            Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to forgive our sins and make us acceptable in your sight. Help us to apply Jesus’ blood to our sins so that we may be holy and blameless in your sight. With Paul, we declare ourselves great sinners who need your redeeming touch. Please help us to live as those forgiven in you and walk as redeemed sinners. Let us glorify your name because you have saved us. Let us keep the promise of Romans 8:1, “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” always before our eyes. Amen.