Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Worse

15 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. – 1 Timothy 1:15

Humility is said to be thinking of yourself less and not necessarily thinking less of yourself. While this may be true, I think there might be a distinction between the humility of the world, and the humility of Christ. Our Lord wishes for us to examine the dark recesses of our soul in order to purge that which is not fully surrendered. Introspection, through the Spirit, is the avenue of the mature saint.

In this first letter to Timothy it would be easy to mistake this for self-degradation: isn’t this a little dramatic Paul? Yet under the life of Godly self-inspection, we see something past the wave of unworthiness and sin: we see our true identity in Christ. The only route to Jesus is through the mess of self for it is in this valley that we see Him more radiantly and rightly. Here Paul boils the whole of Scripture and life into the mission statement of Jesus who “came into the world to save sinners.” If this is true, then wouldn’t we want to claim our sinfulness urgently and clearly?

I am a sinner, save me

Expedite your grace Lord. Here we stand sinful and fully aware of our condition. We accept your mercy and look to share that same trait with others. Amen.