Chief of Sinners
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. NKJV
Jesus tells a parable in Luke 18:9-13 that is truly reflected in the life of the Apostle Paul: He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves and were confident that they were righteous [that they were upright and in right standing with God] and scorned and made nothing of all the rest of men:10 Two men went up into the temple [enclosure] to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11 The Pharisee took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before and with himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men—extortioners (robbers), swindlers [unrighteous in heart and life], adulterers—or even like this tax collector here.12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I gain.13 But the tax collector, [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the especially wicked sinner that I am!
Paul embodied this message as his life and ministry progressed. In 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 he referred to himself as the least of the Apostles. Approximately 7 years later in Ephesians 3:18 he referred to himself as the least of God’s people. Approximately 2 years later in 1 Timothy, 5 years before he was beheaded, he referred to himself as the chief of sinners. What changed? Was he being insincere, feigning humility, to gain the approval of his readers?
Remember when the woman was caught in adultery and brought to Jesus to entrap Him? Jesus said, he who is without sin cast the first stone. What age group was the first to drop their stones? The old. Let that sink in. Why? They had read, studied and learned more Torah, and Prophets, probably longer than some of the young ones had been alive. They had prayed, fasted, given to God and the poor far more. They had gone to synagogue, and Temple, observed the feasts, and festivals far longer than any of the young. They knew more, and out performed, any of the young who held their rocks tightly in their clenched, fists of rage. But they also knew one thing that the young had yet to see clearly: they had failed God, themselves, and others miserably. The Apostle Paul understood life from this perspective.
Recently, I was engaged in a conversation with one of our younger church members. They had an equally young friend who was growing as a follower of Jesus. Somewhere along the way he picked up the doctrine that he could achieve sinless perfection before the Lord. My response in a nutshell was, he has read the Bible but how much of it has he attempted to obey? In Luke 18:18-19, five verses away from Jesus’ Parable mentioned above, a man approached Jesus regarding what he could do to obtain eternal life. He said: Good Teacher [You who are essentially and perfectly morally good], what shall I do to inherit eternal life [to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]? 19 Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me [essentially and perfectly morally] good? No one is [essentially and perfectly morally] good—except God only.
Jesus wasn’t saying that He wasn’t good, or morally perfect. But one thing He made crystal clear: No one is [essentially and perfectly morally] good—except God only. Only God is Good. Only God is Perfect. To claim either is to claim equality with God (and believe it or not there are some that teach that). What am I saying? Often I will say, I deserve to go below hell. Those who are “do-it-yourself” Christians become highly offended at that statement. They pity me. What they don’t understand is I fit in the category of the old pharisees above. I know more, and have experienced more than most. Because of that alone I have a higher responsibility. Because of that I have failed more than most – simply because of what I know, and how I know Jesus. I’ve sinned horribly, and disobeyed things I knew I was to do and not do. Do-it-yourself righteousness has a convenient way of excusing disobedience because of willful ignorance. They compare themselves to others – not Jesus – and congratulate themselves at not being like the other sinners. 2 Corinthians 2:12 addresses that foolishness when it says: Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely.
The only trophy we are going to receive is Jesus and a crown, or crowns that reward faithfulness. Avoid the snare of patting yourself on the back, and collecting “trophies” for your Christian performance. One day we will dine with saintly nobility who have paid, unimaginable sacrifices, in order to simply love their Savior. In this life we pity them as paupers, but in Jesus’ eyes they are His royalty. When you are tempted to congratulate yourself for your performance – get some perspective. Read or watch what 75% of your brothers and sisters, around the world suffer to faithfully follow, and obey Jesus. You will hang your head in shame. (I have more than once)
