December 6th 2020
Here Is A Trustworthy Saying That Deserves Full Acceptance: Christ Jesus Came Into The World To Save Sinners!
1 Timothy 1:15-17 (NIV)
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 unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
During this season of Advent, we begin to think about the Christmas season, when Jesus Christ came into this world for the main purpose of giving all of mankind a way to accept salvation by what Jesus did. The only way anyone can be saved when their mortal body dies is to have already accepted the perfect sacrifice that Jesus came into this world to execute. No matter how many holiday gifts you buy and give away, you will not gain any points toward buying your salvation from God. The main reason people use the term for this season as holiday instead of Christmas, is because they either do not believe the accounts about Jesus Christ, or they are too timid to say Merry Christmas instead of happy holidays. Some people must say holiday, because where they work and the management does not want to upset people who are buying, as they may be offended by the word Christmas.
What do you say in response to someone wishing you happy holidays? Are you afraid to respond with Merry Christmas? It is easy to say, thanks and the same to you! In the USA it is becoming more difficult to wish someone a Merry Christmas, as more people will be offended by it than in the past. I have however, noticed more people saying Merry Christmas lately. Am I over doing this emphasis, well maybe, but if the believers do not wish to express the importance of Jesus in this season, then certainly unbelievers will not hear those wonderful words denoting the real reason for the season. Santa is not the reason for the Christmas season, Christ is! Do not back off and let Satan lure you toward a happy holidays mind frame.
In the selected verses we read what Paul said about himself, where he says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” Paul who wrote several of the books of the Bible, calls himself the “worst sinner,” how can this be? Remember, when Paul was still called Saul, he was persecuting the newly formed Christian church, even having people killed who professed to be followers of Jesus Christ. Therefore, his claim is likely correct. This should give us all an uplifting feeling about ourselves, as we are sinners, but our offences do not come close to those of Saul. Paul assures us of our forgiveness when he says, “so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” Believe on Jesus and you will be granted eternal life, now that is great Christmas story to tell everyone, especially your children and anyone else who will listen.
John wrote about who Christ is and that He was God and the Creator from before the beginning of time. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4). In the triune God it is professed as three persons in One God, so in this belief we hold Jesus as God the Son. Some worldly religions based somewhat on Christianity do not believe this, and they hold Jesus to be an angel or a man becoming a God. In Christianity we believe that Jesus was the God/man when He walked this earth. What most impressed the people who met Jesus was that He spoke with authority which helps us to recognize His Kingship even when seen as a man.
Paul wrote about how people who have not come to believe that Jesus Christ is in fact the Savior sent into this world to offer salvation to all those who will come to believe in Him. Paul points out how those who choose to be unbelievers are unable to grasp who Jesus Christ is. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2-4). Satan, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers.” So, just as many Israelites failed to see Jesus Christ as the Messiah many people today still fail to recognize Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Even the Apostles had some difficulty in recognizing who Jesus was and thus, understanding what He was teaching them about Himself. John wrote for us about how His disciples were unable to recognize that He is the Savior and thus, only through Him anyone can go to heaven when we die. Jesus said to them, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. (John 14:2-11).
In this case seeing was or should have been believing, as they saw Jesus, they also saw God. Here Jesus is claiming to be the person called the Son of the Godhead. Jesus said, “From now on, you do know him and have seen him." When they looked at Jesus, they were seeing God! Then Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Then Jesus said, “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners! This is the reason for this Christmas season!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1 Timothy 1:15-17 (NIV)
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 unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
During this season of Advent, we begin to think about the Christmas season, when Jesus Christ came into this world for the main purpose of giving all of mankind a way to accept salvation by what Jesus did. The only way anyone can be saved when their mortal body dies is to have already accepted the perfect sacrifice that Jesus came into this world to execute. No matter how many holiday gifts you buy and give away, you will not gain any points toward buying your salvation from God. The main reason people use the term for this season as holiday instead of Christmas, is because they either do not believe the accounts about Jesus Christ, or they are too timid to say Merry Christmas instead of happy holidays. Some people must say holiday, because where they work and the management does not want to upset people who are buying, as they may be offended by the word Christmas.
What do you say in response to someone wishing you happy holidays? Are you afraid to respond with Merry Christmas? It is easy to say, thanks and the same to you! In the USA it is becoming more difficult to wish someone a Merry Christmas, as more people will be offended by it than in the past. I have however, noticed more people saying Merry Christmas lately. Am I over doing this emphasis, well maybe, but if the believers do not wish to express the importance of Jesus in this season, then certainly unbelievers will not hear those wonderful words denoting the real reason for the season. Santa is not the reason for the Christmas season, Christ is! Do not back off and let Satan lure you toward a happy holidays mind frame.
In the selected verses we read what Paul said about himself, where he says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” Paul who wrote several of the books of the Bible, calls himself the “worst sinner,” how can this be? Remember, when Paul was still called Saul, he was persecuting the newly formed Christian church, even having people killed who professed to be followers of Jesus Christ. Therefore, his claim is likely correct. This should give us all an uplifting feeling about ourselves, as we are sinners, but our offences do not come close to those of Saul. Paul assures us of our forgiveness when he says, “so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” Believe on Jesus and you will be granted eternal life, now that is great Christmas story to tell everyone, especially your children and anyone else who will listen.
John wrote about who Christ is and that He was God and the Creator from before the beginning of time. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4). In the triune God it is professed as three persons in One God, so in this belief we hold Jesus as God the Son. Some worldly religions based somewhat on Christianity do not believe this, and they hold Jesus to be an angel or a man becoming a God. In Christianity we believe that Jesus was the God/man when He walked this earth. What most impressed the people who met Jesus was that He spoke with authority which helps us to recognize His Kingship even when seen as a man.
Paul wrote about how people who have not come to believe that Jesus Christ is in fact the Savior sent into this world to offer salvation to all those who will come to believe in Him. Paul points out how those who choose to be unbelievers are unable to grasp who Jesus Christ is. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2-4). Satan, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers.” So, just as many Israelites failed to see Jesus Christ as the Messiah many people today still fail to recognize Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Even the Apostles had some difficulty in recognizing who Jesus was and thus, understanding what He was teaching them about Himself. John wrote for us about how His disciples were unable to recognize that He is the Savior and thus, only through Him anyone can go to heaven when we die. Jesus said to them, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. (John 14:2-11).
In this case seeing was or should have been believing, as they saw Jesus, they also saw God. Here Jesus is claiming to be the person called the Son of the Godhead. Jesus said, “From now on, you do know him and have seen him." When they looked at Jesus, they were seeing God! Then Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Then Jesus said, “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners! This is the reason for this Christmas season!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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