The Foremost
1 Timothy 1:15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (1 Tim. 1:15 ESV)
Paul tells us up front that what he is about to say is trustworthy and should be whole-heartedly received. What he is about to say is worthy of our attention. It is deserving of our taking time to consider it. What he is about to say is not something we should dismiss or consider lightly. It is, “trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.” Paul tells us that we can trust the forthcoming statement. It is true.
But what does he say?
“…that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”
With this statement, Paul proclaims the great truth of the glorious gospel, Christ came to save sinners. What wonderful news! What great joy! What blessed hope!
He continues with these words, “…of whom I am the foremost.”
This statement is not one of objective fact, as if Paul had set his sin up against everyone else’s and his was the worst. What Paul is saying is that he has taken inventory of his own soul and he knows the sin that is found there. He sees his own heart as darker and more wicked than his neighbor’s. He sees that he carries around inside himself more self-exalting pride than those around him. He understands his own sinful desires as more wicked than anything he as witnessed in anyone else.
The question that should come to mind as we read this text is “Do I see my sin this way?” Do I evaluate the sin in my own soul as deeper, darker, and more wicked than anything I have seen in others or do I discount my sin as light and small in comparison? Do I account the sin against me as agregeous and the sin I commit as not worth mentioning?
How do I view my sin? Do I see my sin as a terrible affront to a Holy God? If so, there is great news……
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!!!!!
If I see it as light, small, not worth discussing there is no hope because I will not see my need for a Savior.
Friends, we are great sinners! Pray that God would grant you eyes to see your sin and to proclaim as Paul did that you are the worst of sinners so that you will see the greatness of God in sending Christ to save desperate sinners such as ourselves.
By His Grace Alone,
Josh
