1 Timothy 1:15-17
This saying is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” of whom I am the worst. But I was shown mercy for this reason: that in me, the worst sinner, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his unlimited patience as an example for those who are going to believe in him, resulting in eternal life. Now to the King eternal, to the immortal, invisible, only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Applying God’s word for today: God’s word is trustworthy, but what does it say?
When something is written, we may wonder what the author’s intention was. How did the listener perceive it? Was there any barrier to understanding the message? Perhaps that’s a challenge for many reading God’s word. Not knowing why God recorded His message, combined with the idea that God is angry—all stemming from our sins—creates a barrier to hearing it.
No matter why you are reading God’s Word today, it’s important to understand why it was written. God created us to be with Him forever, and His perfection means He loves without error. He created Adam and Eve perfectly, but they soon fell into sin, which cursed us all; so no one lives this life without sin, except Jesus. Our sins condemn us to eternal damnation and separation from God, with no way on our own to restore ourselves in our fallen state. That’s why God sent His Son to live the perfect life we cannot live and die a perfect death in our place. Believing in Jesus as our Savior removes our sins and restores us to eternal life with our loving heavenly Father. The problem is that many don’t even see their sins, or they think there’s no way God would forgive them, but that isn’t true. God’s love is greater than all our sins, and He demonstrates unlimited patience for those who don’t believe, wanting you to be with Him forever in heaven.
Dear Triune Lord—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, forgive me for all my sins for Jesus’ sake. Please hear my confession and strengthen my faith so I trust that my sins are forgiven. Thank you for your patience and for loving me unconditionally and perfectly. Let my resolve be to love You above all else, including myself, and to love others as You have loved me. Allow me to share Your love with others so they, too, may trust in Jesus as their Savior and receive Your gift of eternal life. Grant this to us all, Lord. Amen.
God’s Word is trustworthy, just as Paul wrote. God loves everyone and has provided His plan of salvation so that, by believing in Jesus, we receive eternal life. As our King—eternal, immortal, and invisible—He is the only God and deserves all glory and honor for saving us from our sins.