1 Timothy 1-3 CSB
This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them. But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1:15-17)
Like Paul, I have to say that if Jesus can save me, He can save anybody. Our Lord delights in taking those who seem to be beyond hope and turning them around for His glory. Considering my life, my background and where I came from, I would have been the last one that my high school classmates would have thought would become a Christian, let alone a preacher. I am sure there have been many worse than me, and to be honest it is not a contest as to who was the most wicked. Yet, I understand how Paul feels when he calls himself the “chief of sinners.” When one considers his own depravity (especially in the light of God’s holiness) it makes any truthful person recoil in shame and horror thinking they are the worst of the worst.
But that is how the Lord works. He saves those that many consider beyond saving so that he can demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to all. No one is so good they don’t need to be saved and nobody is so bad that they are beyond the grace of God. God delights in doing what people think can’t be done, and he delights in demonstrating His glory and grace through the most wretched of sinners; like Kevin Rodgers, or Paul, or you. We become examples of grace to the rest of the world and it moves us to that sentiment found in vs. 17; “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” It isn’t really about me or you; it’s all about Him. It’s about His honor and His glory forever. I thank Him today that He can save even me, and I pray that He gets all the glory and honor forever.
