Why?

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: 

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 

But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 

All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:15-17


Paul's attitude revealed in these verses is powerful, and humbling. Christ came into this world to save sinners, and Paul counted himself to be the worst sinner of all. Paul was not elevating himself because he was the worst sinner ever. His attitude was that which showed he knew he did not deserve what Christ did for him, yet he accepted it. Paul knew where he had come from - the life that he had turned from to follow Jesus. 

Paul saw himself as the worst of sinners, BUT GOD had mercy on Paul. But he doesn't stop there - there is a reason why God had mercy on him. God had mercy on Paul so that Christ Jesus could use him as a prime example of God's great patience with even the worse sinners, because through that example, others will realize that they can believe and receive the gift of eternal life, just like Paul. 

Paul wrote these verses for each one of us who follows Jesus. God had mercy on you and me, the worst of sinners, SO THAT He could use us as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst of sinners to others who don't know Him. If we do not see our selves as sinners, what reason is there for God to be patient with us, and what example is there for others to see a reason to believe in God? If my attitude does not reflect a repentant heart of my sin-filled life, what good am I to witness to others? Why would anyone want to believe in a God that we don't really need anyway? 

I will leave you to think about these verses and meditate on what God speaks to you through them. Let Him speak to your heart - is there any attitude or action that is preventing others from seeing Him work in your life?