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. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:15–16 (ESV)
Why did Jesus come to this earth? This is a basic Sunday school question posed to all age groups. It strikes at the very core of the sum and substance of the Gospel. It is the crux of biblical truth. It is a fundamental of the Christian faith.
The Apostle Paul provided the answer when he wrote his first epistle, or letter, to his young protégé Timothy. He prefaced his answer as to why Jesus Christ came as a saying trustworthy deserving of full acceptance.
To be trustworthy (πιστὸς; pistos) means to be dependable, reliable and sure. The word deserving (ἄξιος; axios) refers to worthiness and value. The phrase full acceptance (πάσης ἀποδοχῆς; pases apodoches) means something is true solely because of its source. What Paul wrote to Timothy, and what individuals read in the Scriptures today specifically from today’s text, was a reliable, valuable and true statement.
The trustworthy saying deserving of full acceptance was this; Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. This is why Jesus came to earth. This is the core truth of Scripture. Consider also these biblical cross references.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 (ESV)
“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” (John 17:1–5 (ESV)
“4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4–5 (ESV)
The significance of this truth for Paul was he viewed himself as the foremost of sinners. Christ came to save sinners and this former Pharisee’ perspective was he was the worst sinner there ever was. The word foremost (πρῶτός; protos) means prominent and greatest.
“The psychology of Christian experience, as described by the first generation of Christians, includes a massive dose of what some have disparagingly called “worm” theology (as in “such a worm as I”). Listen to the apostle: “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),” explains Rev. Terry L. Johnson, senior minister of Independent Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Ga.
“Why does he feel the necessity to rehearse his past as a “blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent”? Why hasn’t the apostle Paul learned to see himself as God sees him — “in Christ” — and not as a sinner, as forgiven, cleansed, adopted, a child of the Father, clothed in the righteousness of Christ? Answer: he does. But he is also careful not to forget the depths out of which he has been saved.”
“The psychology of the Christian experience is wide-ranging, but essentially it is that of humble gratitude. We are humble because we know the truth about ourselves: our corruption, our weakness, our conflicts, our helplessness. We are also exceedingly grateful for what Christ has done and for what we have: peace with God, family membership, and eternal life. Indeed, I understand the magnitude of what I have in Christ because of this accompanying awareness of the depth of my depravity,” continues Rev. Johnson.
“A constant awareness of my past failure and continuing corruption is not only not contrary to a rich apprehension of grace but its necessary companion. The exceeding greatness of God’s grace in Christ is understood in its fullness only against the black backdrop of my unworthiness. This is why the apostle Paul gives thanks (v. 12) and bursts forth in praise even as he recalls his past crimes and present status as the chief of sinners.”
We are not to glory in our past sins; far from it. However, we are never to forget the depths from which the Lord saved us from our previous, Christless existence. WE ought to be overwhelmed with praise and gratitude to God. Consider these lyrics by Jason Ingram, Jonathan Smith, Kristian Stanfill, and Sean Curran entitled Glorious Day.
I was buried beneath my shame Who could carry that kind of weight? It was my tomb ‘Til I met You.
I was breathing, but not alive All my failures I tried to hide It was my tomb ‘Til I met You.
You called my name Then I ran out of that grave Out of the darkness Into Your glorious day.
May the Lord’ s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 