This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them. (1 Timothy 1:15)
How could Paul, the greatest missionary ever, call himself the worst of sinners? As a younger believer, I thought this was hyperbole. Yet, now I have a different view of Paul’s claim.
Paul knew the depravity of his life before his conversion. He was a zealous Pharisee, attempting to stop the spread of Christianity by persecuting the early believers. Acts 7 records that Paul (Saul) was instrumental in the stoning of Stephen. Yet, Jesus chose Saul, changed his name to Paul, forgave his sins, appointed him to ministry, and commanded him to be an apostle. We know of his missionary journeys, the letters he wrote, and the sufferings he endured.
Here Paul uses his testimony to show that God has “extraordinary patience” and offers eternal life to the worst of sinners. This is intended to be an encouragement to Timothy and to all people. Paul is so overwhelmingly grateful that he ends his testimony with a benediction. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.”
What about your testimony? Do you have a story that tells how your life opposed God before your conversion and how God changed you, giving you a new purpose and direction? Your story probably isn’t as extreme as Paul’s, but God still chooses sinners, forgives sins, offers eternal life, and appoints us to ministry. Like Paul, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for God’s extraordinary patience.