Sinners Anonymous - 1 Timothy 1:15

 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. - 1 Timothy 1:15

    This utterly beautiful passage presents the living root of the Gospel to us. Within these words we have our very eternity! And this single verse is just a part of a greater doxology dedicated to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When read in its entirety it is one of the most inspiring praises ever uttered by man - “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” - 1 Timothy 1:12-17.
    Paul speaks to us like he is a new member of Sinners Anonymous. You can almost hear him cry out, “My name is Paul . . . and I am a sinner . . . .”  He claims his sinful status and owns his sin. He doesn’t run from his confession; He runs to it! There is no 12 Step Program here. It is clear by his very words that it is by grace alone that he has been saved. It is by grace alone that he receives mercy and he thanks not some clever man-contrived methodology but God who alone is wise.
    Paul speaks about a ‘pattern’ of mercy based on Christ’s longsuffering that is more than validated by holy scripture.  “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9. The Lord understands the resistance of sinners and yet He is longsuffering toward us! No matter where sin has positioned us in this life God is ready, willing, and able to bestow His grace upon us for our redemption and salvation. Mercy toward sinners who believe in Christ; who were once ignorant in unbelief; who now believe.
    Let us all praise God with the enthusiastic gratitude that Paul sets forth for us. Let us all believe on Him for everlasting life.