A Graceful & Patient God

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

Paul wrote those words in his letter to Timothy, and it is easy to agree that he was the worst of sinners. He persecuted and killed Christians. He blasphemed God. He actively worked against the spread of the Gospel before his conversion. So, when he describes himself as the worst of sinners, it makes sense. 

But when I think of my own testimony, I realize that I have never described myself as the worst of sinners. I know that I was saved by God’s grace alone, but a sinful, prideful piece of my heart thinks, “I wasn’t THAT bad before salvation.”  True, I did not persecute and murder Christians. But as I come to understand God’s holiness better, He has humbled me and opened my eyes to how gracious His salvation is. 

I know that I cannot be saved by my good works. But sometimes, I act like my good works get me closer. My testimony isn’t a “murderer to missionary” type of story like Paul. He really needed God’s grace, but maybe I only “sort of” need God’s grace. Even though I KNOW that’s not true, sometimes my pride leads me down that path. I so desperately want to be “good enough” and bring myself glory that I commend myself on not having as much sin as the next person. 

Praise God that He loves me, and that He works in my life to reveal truth. The way He revealed my sin and pride in this area was through the book of Leviticus. In the past, most of my Bible reading plans have withered away in Leviticus. Who wants to read all those laws? This time through, though, God convicted me to love His law the way the Psalmists did.

Psalm 119:97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.

As I read Leviticus with a desire to love God’s Word, I was reminded that God is holy. So holy that the people of Israel were terrified when they heard God from Mt. Sinai. So holy that there are pages of laws that dictate how the Israelites had to cleanse their sin to approach a holy God. God’s laws made a clear distinction between His holiness and our sinfulness. 

Leviticus 11:44 I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.

When Christ offered us salvation, He fulfilled every single requirement of the law for us! Romans 8:3-4 says “For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

As I glimpsed God’s holiness and separation from sin, I realized that when I compare myself to a standard that holy, I am the worst of sinners! I cannot approach God. I can never fulfill what’s required to be clean and pure to stand before God. There is no level of sin where I can feel good about myself for not being “that” bad. If I don’t see my sin for what it is, then I don’t see God’s grace as the gift it truly is! 

Christ fulfilled the requirements of the Law on our behalf, and that is truly an amazing gift. My pride takes away from displaying God’s mercy and patience. Instead, I should acknowledge my lack of righteousness on my own strength, “so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:16)

If we present ourselves as good, as “really trying hard”, if we accept people’s praise of us on our own merit, then we miss an opportunity to share God’s patience and mercy.

For me personally, I know that sometimes people hear our family’s title as “missionaries” and tell us what a good thing we’re doing. My temptation is to say thank you and enjoy the praise. Instead, I want to be loud and clear that it is God’s work alone! When I think of my sin, it is clear to me that I would never be good enough to stand before God. I would never choose a life of service and sacrifice on my own strength. I want to put God on display and share that His grace alone has equipped me to serve Him.

Ephesians 1:6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

I want to encourage you, brothers and sisters in Christ, that there is no shame in our testimonies but rather an opportunity to display God’s grace. And there is no place for pride or works when we realize that none of us meet up to God’s standards. Instead, we are united as Christ’s body, each one of us brought in by His grace, working for His glory. 

It levels the playing field because regardless of each person’s story, our point of unity is Jesus Christ. We can each identify ourselves as the worst of sinners, and we can each identify ourselves as a new creation saved by grace!

I pray that God’s salvation encourages you and humbles you. And I pray that you can share your story with others in a way that magnifies God’s mercy in your life. I am so thankful that He revealed my wrong thinking as I read His Word. Please pray for me, that God continues to humble me and open my eyes to my need for Him. 

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

In His grace,

Kathy Borio