How Paul’s Life Helps Us Live Ours.

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to Timothy: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (1:15)

Why did Jesus come to this world?

He came to save sinners. Today we’re moving from the past to the present. Not sure what this means? Click here to read “Why the Past Is Important“. Or just keep reading and it’ll make sense fairly quickly.

Who does this include?

People who are hurting, struggling, in shame and heartache, in guilt and pain. People who can’t even bear thinking about the things they’ve done in their past. People who have a past that makes them noxious, or gives them nightmares.

Each and every dark and sinful thing that humanity has ever done; Jesus Christ came to save them all!

All sinners can be saved.

Paul’s Present

This is what Paul was working for. This is why Paul left his Pharisaic life. This is God’s plan for humanity. This is the mission of the church. Paul states his motivation for life and ministry in the most plain and simple terms:

“…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (1:15)

And if Timothy wasn’t following why Paul is so focused on this key gospel truth, Paul tags his statement with, “…of whom I am the worst.” Paul states that he is “…the worst…” sinner.

Moreover, he states, “…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.” (1:16)

Before his miraculous conversion, Paul was Saul, a ruthless persecutor of Christians. Why didn’t God just off Paul when he was persecuting and killing Christians? Why didn’t Jesus just kill him on the road to Damascus when He had the chance? This is why:

If Jesus Christ can save a man who’s mission was destroying Christianity, then Jesus Christ can save anyone.

But let’s not get lost in these statements and forget the context of this 1 Timothy 1. Remember that Paul is writing to Timothy, describing why Timothy should take on the difficult task of addressing false doctrine being taught in the church.

Timothy has some very difficult work ahead of him, but these verses are the motivation that Timothy needs. Paul‘s present mission is becoming Timothy’s present mission. And it speaks to our mission as well.

OUR PRESENT

In a sense, Paul’s reminding Timothy, and in turn reminding us, why standing on Biblical truth is so important: Primarily, because people’s souls are at risk; mankind’s eternity is at risk!

Jesus came to save sinners and that cannot happen when the church is not doing its part.

Why we should be a people who are ruthless, in standing on this Book called the Bible? So that Jesus can save sinners! Today, in the present, this is why we should embrace difficult conversations with each other.

So that Jesus can save sinners!

• This is why we should avoid gossiping about each other.
• This is why we should avoid lying and giving each other half-truths.
• This is why in our homes we should reject the urge to drink too much, use bad language or lash out in anger.
• This is why we shouldn’t cheat the authorities in our lives.
• This is why we should love and forgive people, even when they’ve hurt us, even when the world tells us we should cut them off.
• This is why we should give people second chances and love the people who no one else cares about.
• This is why we should follow every single principle written in this Book?

So that today, in the present, in our presence and through us, Jesus Christ can save sinners!

Missional Clarity

We need to be crystal clear on our present mission. If we want to be a people who are used by God today, in the Present, we’ve got to follow the Bible.

If we want God to save sinners through us, if we want this church to grow and our lives to grow closer to the image of Christ, we have to dive into this Book.

Just like God led Paul to make sure Timothy was a champion of Scripture, God has called each and every one of us to champion Scripture.

CAN I GET YOUR FEEDBACK?

Why is emphasizing the core truth that Jesus came to save sinners so important to our present life? How should this impact the church?