NS14

^"15 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."

(That's from 1 Timothy 1:15, NLV)

Wow. Preach it, Paul! Read this verse again, and try dissecting it bit by bit.

"This is a trustworthy saying,"

This just complements what we already know to be %100 true words from God, as it is found in the Bible. When we read this, our minds are being reassured that what we read is true. I love worshiping a God who was and is aware of how stubborn my mind can be even while reading Scripture.

"and everyone should accept it:"

This is simple to read...simple to understand....a bit challenging to do. Keep reading...

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

Don't miss this! Read it again. If you are a sinner, then Jesus came into the world to die for YOU. To save YOU. Because He loved YOU. YOU-- a sinner. Insane.

Oh...and not just you.Jesus came into the world to save: the rebellious, the addicts, the broken, the outcasts, the racists, the crooks, the skeptics, the gluttons, kidnappers, murderers, jerks, and liars, and the list could go on and on!

"—and I am the worst of them all."

In the King James Version of this verse, it reads,"...that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." How low is the Lord willing to go to save sinners? Who is he willing to forgive?

Here, Paul is claiming (by his own admission) to be the worst sinner of them all. I find it interesting that he doesn't say he was the worst sinner, or that he was the chief. Paul says "Of whom I AM".

-Of the people you know, whose lives have been radically transformed by Christ, like Paul?

-How has God changed your heart?

-Is this change apparent to others? & why or why not?

I pray that you ask yourselves those questions as you reflect on this verse!

Have a fantastic Sunday!