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 Timothy 1:15, ESV
I have known some people who will say negative things about themselves to elicit sympathy and receive positive affirmations from others. I am sure that most can relate. Paul isn’t doing that with this statement. Paul realized his failings and shortcomings and stated a reality that is true for him and, in all reality, is true for everyone. The greatest sinner I know is the face that looks back at me in the mirror. I know my sin. In this knowledge, it is hard to judge another. That is the point. We aren’t supposed to be the judges but the people who build up one another in the faith of Jesus Christ. There is no difference between sin; every sin is a rebellion against God and His will in our lives. Some like to think that there are different degrees of sin, just as they like to believe that there are various degrees of lying. Just like a lie is a lie, a sin is a sin. Yet, Jesus came to save us all. We aren’t to be braggadocious about our sins as a badge of honor, but we can speak boldly about the great amount our Lord has had in His forgiveness of all our sins. This is the trustworthy promise of our Lord Jesus Christ, the fulness of forgiveness we have all received.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.