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Fully Accepted
July 17th, 2017
1 Timothy 1:1-17
One might think Paul’s introduction to his First letter to his protégé Timothy lacks grandeur when he whittles the purpose statement of Christ down to “a trustworthy saying” (1 Timothy 1:15). Yet, he draws us with two short phrases that serve as bookends, framing the profound statement he proclaims, “Christ came . . . to save sinners.” Paul demands that this trustworthy saying “deserves” our “full acceptance”. He then grips our heart by adding, “I am the worst” of sinners. When we read that phrase, we cannot help but examine our motives, “Have I fully accepted Christ?”
What does full acceptance look like? It’s the prodigal son, who rehearsed his homecoming speech from the pigpen, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Luke 15:17-19). It was a speech the son never spoke, because he was fully accepted. You are fully accepted. Christ Jesus deserves our full acceptance, because we—the worst of sinners—have been fully accepted by Him.
Author: Cynthia Stiverson
July 17th, 2017 at 7:31 pm
The son did tell his father he had sinned and was not worthy to be called his son.