1 Timothy 1:14-16 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. 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.
We can't do anything to earn God's Love that brought "Amazing Grace" to the World. There is nothing in and of ourselves that would allow us to deserve the salvation we know from God, through Christ Jesus, our Lord, and Savior. It is because of the great love of God, through His grace, wisdom, and mercy, that He sent Christ to suffer and die on the Cross of Calvary to atone for our sins. Moreover, we should not ignore the other part of Paul's statement about being the worst of sinners. This statement from the Apostle Paul shows us the heart of a true believer and follower of Christ Jesus. He also possessed a contrite, remorseful, and repentant heart coming to God "poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3), with a broken heart over sin and touched by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, with a clear comprehension of the Grace of God.
Paul said this was a trustworthy saying “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” it is a steadfast foundational truth upon which we can build our lives. This statement is of infinite importance for our eternal lives, and we should believe this truth with all of our being, heart, mind, body, and soul.
Paul was highly educated, taught by the most famous Pharisee’s teacher in Israel, Gamaliel. In our day, he would be considered the elite of the elite, the top among world scholars. Paul had good reason to be proud of his training; that would have put him in the top tier of our best modern bible scholars. However, Paul understood the true heart of all men and women, which is envy, pride, rebellion against God, and strife. Paul placed alongside our fallen nature what Christ Jesus did for us on the Cross, and consequently, he was able to see and teach us, as human beings, for what we are, fallen creatures before a Holy God.
In our present, existing condition, all of humanity is fallen from Grace, having no possible avenue to save ourselves from an eternity separated from God in an awful place called Hell, no possibility of reconciliation with a Holy God. Without Christ Jesus, the human race, regardless of our beliefs or religions, are doomed to Hell for all Eternity. Therefore, God took on human form, in the person of Christ Jesus, stepped out of Eternity so that we, fallen men and women, might have mercy, Grace, and eternal life through Christ. Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom we all could aptly call ourselves, as did Paul, the "worst of sinners."
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