“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Timothy 1:15-17
The few, the proud, the Marines. I remember this commercial from the 90s when I grew up. There would be an image of a Marine in the full dress uniform. He would have the white hat and the blue duds and he was holding a shining saber. This marine would be this picture of determination, discipline, and achievement. I am very grateful for the Marines and for our military. It is profoundly right that the Marines be an institution in which its soldiers have risen above many of their peers, worked harder, proven themselves greatly and exhibited no less than the most admirable qualities. But becoming a Marine is different from becoming a Christian.
A person who becomes a Christian is one who is born again, who begins a truly vibrant spiritual life. A Christian is one who inherits eternal life. They are heirs to the Kingdom that has dominion over all other kingdoms. They are adopted by a father who is preeminent over all other officials, authorities, and governments. But they don’t rise up to this rank. No one who has ever been born again became that way because they proved themselves worthy to be counted among “the few, the proud, the Christians.” Not one single child of God was ever adopted by Him because they earned their seat at His table through sweat and determination and rigor.
Rather, a Christian is someone who has come to the realization that they deserve no place at God’s table or in His family. They have understood and acknowledged the reality that on their own merits they have no place in Heaven.
Paul says, “ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- of whom I am the worst”. Paul realized that he was spiritually and morally bankrupt before the one true Holy God of the universe. No one comes to Jesus in true faith because they realize how good they are. No one is awarded membership in Heaven because of their great effort.
On the contrary, all Christians are “shown mercy so that in them, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen”
Christians realize that their adoption into God’s family is completely and entirely owing to ANOTHER’S efforts. Jesus Christ earned their status as God’s children. It was the blood of Jesus. It was the holiness of Jesus. It was His mercy and His grace. All of Him. It was His perfect righteousness that was counted on our behalf.
Why does God do such a thing? Why does God take undeserving, dishonest, self-centered, and immoral people and give them eternal life and joy and happiness and peace and restoration in this life? The Bible tells us, it is so that “…Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” A Christian is saved so that it is Christ who is seen dressed in splendor holding a gleaming sword as the one who vanquished death. A believer is born again so that it is the mercy of Jesus that shines at the center of the story. A Christian is saved so that they can see that it is Christ who showed Himself to be above all others, to be stronger, greater, holier and to be more worthy of recognition. Christians know that their status is all owing to the efforts, character, merit and nature of another’s and not their own.
If any group should be made up of people who have earned the right to be recognized it should be the Marines and the military. But let all Christians say with Paul, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Jason Faircloth, Director of Mission Advancement