I've devoted myself to studying the Pastoral Epistles this fall. Christ Baptist Church is going through 1 Timothy on Sunday nights and I'll be studying 2 Timothy through the internship program at Open Door Baptist Church in Raliegh.
We studied 1 Timothy 1 last night. 1 Timothy 1:12-17 has been one of my favorite passages for a long time. However, I have been reading the the tense of the verbs wrongly until a few days ago.
In this passage, Paul recounts his sinfulness and reminds Timothy that he was a persecutor of the church and a blasphemer. Then, he goes on to label himself as the cheif of sinners. Finnally, he exalts the grace of Christ to save sinners like himself. All Paul can do is praise God in response to His saving grace (v. 17).
Paul calls himelf the foremost sinner. I have previously understood this designation to be referring to Paul's past sinfulness (he opposed the spread of the church and Jesus Himself). However, in verse 15 the verb is present tense. Paul says, "Jesus came in to the world to save sinners, of who I am the foremost." Paul does not say he is the worst sinner because of his past sins, he is the worst sinner because of his present sins.
We will never see the beauty of the cross and justification until we see ourselves as the worst sinners in all the world. Jesus did not come to save those who view themselves as occassional sinners. He came to save the utterly sinful. Jesus desires to show His glory by saving the totally depraved (v. 16).
I recently heard C.J. Mahaney talk about cultivating a passion for Christ. His one practical piece of advice was to familiarize oneself with the doctrine of sin.
3 comments:
Hey Justin!
Just a few thoughts on your blog from a Reformed friend in TX. I totally agree with your thoughts on 1 Tim. I believe Paul is using the present tense, affirming himself as the chief of sinners. When we compare ourselves to the holiness of God, we are all the chief of sinners. This realization of our sinfulness brings humility and praise to God for Jesus and His cross. But I think there is a danger in just focusing on this (our sinfulness)and not realizing our new state as children of God. I don't think God wants us to continually beat ourselves up, feeling like we are worthless. If we are His children, we need to take sin seriously, repent when we sin and claim the promise of 1 John 1:9. What are your thoughts on this???
Chris Mitchell
Hey Justin! Amen, thats awesome! It seems to me the more I grow in my love for Christ, the more sinful I seem to myself. I think that is because the more time I spend in the word and contrasting myself against God's holiness- the more He reveals in my life. Sometimes it can get overwhelming- but like you said remembering the cross and being so thankful for my undeserving salvation of grace. It also makes me long to be with the Lord and out of this body. Rememebering that this is not my home and that He will bring my sanctification to completion! That I am dependent on Christ alone for everything. Thank you for that reminder!
Praise the Lord you guys made it safe! I'm sad that you guys have moved so far away- Our hopes of seeing you guys is shrinking!!!! But we will continue to pray for you guys and your new ministry!
Justin, I also thought about your posting about 1 Tim when I read "The Mover" in The Valley of Vision. If you have that, maybe you can read through it. It is such a good and humbling prayer! My fav parts are "Oh Lord I am astonished at the difference between my recievings and my deservings, between the state I am now and in my past gracelessness, between heaven I am bound for and the hell I merit."
also
"Let wrath deserved be written on the door of hell but the free gift of grace on the gate of heaven."
oh, oh! and "O that such a crown should fit the head of such a sinner! Such high advancement be for an unfruitful person! Such joys for so vile a rebel!"
ya know...you just have to read the whole thing...I'll end up writing the whole thing on here- its just a good perspective on what we are and what we deserve- with what God makes us and what we recieve.
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