December 11, 2024 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read - Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners

1Timothy 1:12  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Honour and glory be to God for ever and ever amen. Here is Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, giving us a very good example of what it means to be a born again Christian.

Paul, a man of God, was not such in the beginning. He was a blasphemer, a persecutor, an person who injured others even to the point of death. He was by all standards a wicked man. Yet, Paul was very religious, he was a pharisee taught at the feet of Gamaliel. With all those accolades, he admits he was lost and lived ignorantly. Yes, he, with all the religious prowess of the time, was ignorant of the true things of God.

Are you religious? or are you born again?

I am reminded of Nicodemus who was very religious as well, yet, he was not a Christian and could not see the kingdom of God.

John 3:1  There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Let’s look at what Paul said: 1Timothy 1:14  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

In Paul’s testimony we find a very important truth. After admitting he was ignorant of the things of God, Realizes that he was chief of sinners. Upon that realization, Paul turned to Jesus who alone is Salvation.

When a person comes to the point in their heart and mind where they realize that they are chief of sinners, they are very close to being saved. God does not save the self righteous, He saves those who know they are sinners.

Matthew 9:12  But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Every person must come to a place of humility before he or she can be saved.

James 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Matthew 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Would you come to a place of humility; would you realize, like Paul, that you are in need of a Saviour?

Christian, would you be consistent in your walk with the Lord in that same humility?

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook