It is a Choice

 

1 Timothy 1:15-17

“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)

We live in a culture that is so engaged in self, that the norm from the President of the United States, to the guy digging ditches is this theme; we no longer see our actions as sinful!  What happens when that culture invades the church?  What happens when it occupies the homes of America?  What happens when it assaults the business community, the school systems, and the political system? 

If sin is no longer sin, and whatever a person chooses to do is ok, then it makes sense that Christ is of no value to that type of person, and yet we do have a problem, don’t we?  A society must have rules to live by, and from the beginning we have civilization making rules to live by, and those who break the rules are called law-breakers.  To live in community requires order, rules to live by, or we might call them laws.  Also, from the beginning God has set into man’s heart the understanding of right and wrong.  When Adam and Eve chose to be like God, that choice allowed sin to enter into our world, and sin hates all authority, in fact sin’s drive is to run your own life, and do it your way. 

Now our culture has done its very best at trying to say there is no such thing as sin, because if there is no longer sin, there is no need for a Savior, and Christ Jesus died in vain.  It comes down to this, if you are better than most others, and you believe that God will give you a pass, there is only one thing wrong with that, it comes from the father of lies.  Romans 3:23, states this about sin, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and as always, it comes down to whom do you believe? 

Saul, the Jewish name of the apostle Paul, made a choice to turn from a religion to a person, by the name of Jesus Christ, and he confessed that before meeting Christ, he was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man, but he was shown mercy because his actions were in ignorance and unbelief.  This is Paul’s testimony; “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:14)  After Paul tells us that he is the worst of sinners in verse fifteen, He goes on to tell us why he believes God chose him.  “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.” (1 Timothy 1:16)

If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:9-10)  The ball is in your hands and you only have two shots, sinner needing a Savior, or a liar, who is choosing to spend eternity in hell with the devil and his fallen angels?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice