“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:15-16
The Apostle Paul wrote this nearly 2,000 years ago to encourage his young protégé Timothy. Do you really believe this applies to you, too? Try reading the verse again, only replace the word sinners with your name. Ask the Holy Spirit to cause this passage to open your mind and your heart to the truth of this Scripture. Go ahead, read it several more times using your own name until it resonates deep within your soul.
Hopefully, these verses convict us of two things. First, that we are sinners by nature, and that we would be condemned by God apart from Christ. We should be dead because of our sin, our rebellion against God and our constant desire to have our own way in life.
Second, however, it should reaffirm for us that in God’s wonderful grace and mercy He has redeemed us through His Son Jesus’ death and resurrection. In response to this extraordinary act of mercy from God, we should be stepping out and telling others about the amazing thing God has done for us. He has saved us from certain death and eternal punishment for our sin!
This unbelievable free gift is something to be celebrated and shared with others! Henry Ward Beecher (1813–1887) put it this way, “If you want your neighbor to know what Christ will do for him, let the neighbor see what Christ has done for you.”
Have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone and talked to someone about your faith, telling them about our church or about Jesus and they immediately shut you down? “I have my own belief,” they say, or something like that.
A great preacher, Oswald Chambers (1874–1917) once said, “We preach to men as if they were conscious they were dying sinners, they are not; they are having a good time.” He was speaking at the turn of the last century. It is amazing how little people have changed in 100 years!
People do not know there are eternal consequences for their choices unless they are told. They also will not know there is a Savior, one who offers forgiveness and mercy, unless they are told.
Whose job is it to tell them, to warn them of the coming time of judgment? It is ours! Those of us who know we are sinful and have accepted God’s free gift of forgiveness and profess faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord. It is our job, yours and mine.
You may think this is too difficult or that you are not equipped for the task. Oswald Chambers reminds us, ”People say that it is so hard to bring Jesus Christ and present Him before the lives of men today. Of course it is, it is so hard that it is impossible except by the power of the indwelling Holy Ghost.”
Stop and pray right now. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit and to give you His heart for those who have not accepted God’s free gift of forgiveness through Christ. Ask Him to give you the words you need to communicate His love and the hope you have in Jesus with someone who needs to hear that message today. Will you? Are you willing to be God’s example like the Apostle Paul was? It will change your life for the better! Try it today! Put feet to your faith!
Your fellow traveler following Christ,
Pastor Tim
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