TAKING AN INWARD LOOK

I Timothy 1:15

“Christ Jesus came into the world to seek sinners of whom I am chief.”

Two Observations

1. Why?

2. Whom?

Question #1 - Why?

The purpose of His coming into the world is stated quite clearly. It was not to set a good example, but to save sinners. This He provided through His death and resurrection. Liberal theology places the emphasis upon His life while the Bible glorifies His death. a blood sacrifice was necessary to take away sin. He was born to die “to this end was I born.” We are never commanded to remember His birth. We do and that’s good. But we are commanded to remember His death - for that is what saves us.

Question #2 - Who?

Paul claims to be the #1 sinner. Think who Saul was - probably the most influential Jew of his time (c.f. Philippians 3:4-6) yet when he got a look at himself through the eyes of Jesus, he quickly got a different view of himself. That which he once considered righteous, he now saw as so much rubbish.

But wait! We have to make this personal. I have a feeling that when each of us looks at ourselves through God’s microscope we would quickly change this assessment from Paul to ourselves. In God’s eyes my goodness is garbage. I don’t care to what degree of respectability we have attained (Romans 3:10-23).

I challenge each of us to take an inward look this Christmas.

Love you all.