288. Save Sinners
1 Timothy 1:15 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.
God promises to save sinners. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus came into the world to save sinners, not the righteous. Those who are already righteous don’t need to be saved; but of course, no one is righteous. We may be deceived into thinking we are righteous, or at least, good enough. “I’m a good guy; I never intentionally hurt anyone.” Good enough is not good enough; only absolute righteousness is. Salvation begins when I admit to being a sinner, which is repentance. Jesus calls sinners to repentance, not the righteous. He would call those who think they are righteous, but they cannot respond with humble repentance and faith.
It is not enough to believe: “All people are sinners; no one is perfect.” But it is enough when I say, “I am the sinner, in fact, I am the chief of sinners.” When I pray, “God be merciful to me, a sinner,” then I arise justified. Jesus told Simon the Pharisee, “She loved much because she was forgiven much.” Repentance and faith in the Gospel is the key that opens heaven’s door. I am the chief of sinners because I know more about my sins than I do about anyone else’s. I can confess my sins, but I cannot confess the sins of others. I cannot judge others, but I can judge myself to be a sinner, and I can confess that Jesus came into the world to save me.
One of the great joys of being a Christian is repenting daily, confessing my sin and receiving forgiveness, sensing my ungodliness and believing that Jesus died for the ungodly. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost: I was lost but He found me. My human tendency is to convince God that I am sincerely trying to do good, to change my ways, and to be a better person. The better way, in fact the only way is to believe what God says about me and what He says about Jesus. Believe the faithful saying: Jesus came to save me. This is the daily joy of the believer. Salvation is a daily joy. Jesus Christ is always saving me, the sinner. Praise the Lord!