To answer your good question, let’s begin by reading 1 Timothy 1:12-14, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”

As Paul begins the letter to Timothy, he first makes a few opening remarks, followed by warnings to Timothy to beware of false doctrines and those who misuse the law.  In verses 12-17, Paul begins to talk about himself.  He begins by thanking the Lord for putting him into the ministry.  In verse 13, Paul speaks of his sinful past, but then, in verses 13-14, he speaks of the Lord’s ever abundant grace and love.

1 Timothy 1:15 says, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”  Paul begins this verse by pointing out that his next words were trustworthy and should be readily accepted.  “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!”  What a wonderful statement, giving hope to all who are still living in sin.  Christ came to save sinners!  He “came into the world.” This shows that Christ existed before His birth as a babe in Bethlehem.  Notice the language of Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…”  The child was ‘BORN’, but the son was ‘GIVEN.’  We learn from this that the Lord Jesus is God, the ever existing One.  Christ came to “save sinners.”  Who are these ones that Christ came to save?  Who are sinners?  Romans 3:23 makes it clear, “For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  We are all sinners.  Christ came to save sinners; so that means that Christ came to save US!  Then, under the inspiration of the Lord, Paul goes on to say, “of whom I am chief.”  In verse 13, he had admitted that he had been “a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious.”  In Galatians 1:13, Paul said “beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it.”  This again gives us great hope.  Knowing that the world’s worst sinner has been saved means anyone can be saved.

Paul goes on to say in verse 16, “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”  Paul is saying that although he was the chief of sinners, he obtained mercy so that others might realize the saving power of the Lord Jesus and put their faith in Him.  Paul was an example of God’s mercy.  He was also an example of the Lord’s patience towards those who are lost.  We learn in 2 Peter 3:9 that, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

We realize that if the chief of sinners has been saved, then anyone can be saved.  Will the Lord Jesus ever reject someone that comes to Him for salvation?  Absolutely not!  The Lord assures us in John 6:37, “…him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”  Just remember: NO ONE IS SO GOOD THAT THEY DO NOT NEED TO BE SAVED.  NO ONE IS SO BAD THAT THE LORD WILL NOT SAVE HIM!!!

Today, if you have not put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation, won’t you do it right now?  The Lord will welcome you, He will not reject you.  The worst sinner in the world found grace from the Lord.  That same grace is available to you if you will receive it.  (188.2)