DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A GREAT SAVIOR!

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A GREAT SAVIOR!

"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." (I Timothy 1:15)

This saying was apparently a common part of the liturgy of the early church. It was the confession of the Christian community – that the Messiah, the Christ – came into this world and His name was Jesus.

Jesus! What a beautiful name. It is derived from the Old Testament name, Joshua, and takes other forms such as Hosea, Jeshua, and Jehoshua. In the Hebrew, it means "Jehovah is Salvation." That was the message of the angel to Joseph, the espoused fiance of the virgin Mary as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew: "You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:22). This is the Gospel in a nutshell: Jesus saves.

The Apostle Paul's view of himself was that he was the greatest sinner that ever lived. And no doubt he was a great sinner. He murdered Christians and did everything he could to stop the cause of Christ. But he was no worse sinner than I am. Any violation of God's law is a great sin, and all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. When we compare ourselves to God's holiness, we are all great sinners.

But Jesus came and died for people just like Paul, and just like you and I. It is only when a person comes to the understanding that he is a great sinner, that he can receive the forgiveness and salvation that God offers to all who believe.

John Newton, the composer of the hymn Amazing Grace, wrote, "Although my memory is failing, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Savior." May this be our song of praise to the Lord Jesus – Jesus Saves.

Love, Dad