Nov 19
3
AM OR WAS?
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief” (I Tim. 1:15). What if Paul said, “Of whom I was the chief, but since God saved me, by His grace I have progressively become more holy and less sinful! Through Bible study, prayer and self-denial I have become more conformed to the image of Christ and less sinful than I formerly was.” If that were his words, I would be forced to conclude that I am not saved. I cannot honestly say that is my experience! Thank God Paul did not say, “of whom I was” but, “of whom I am the chief” – present tense! This enables me to put myself in the group that Christ came to save! That lets me know not to look to myself, and find assurance from the progress I am making. If I am presently the chief of sinners, I have nowhere else to look but to Christ!
Todd Nibert