The older I become, the more I realize how important it is to have a healthy perspective regarding our own weaknesses and perceived self-importance. Over the last 49 years of marriage and 42 years of ministry, Jan has offered me a safe harbor to dock my occasionally ship-wrecked personal character to be refitted and made spiritually sea-worthy again by confessing and repenting of my sins.
In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he was addressing false teachers. These false teachers miss used the law, something intended for lawbreakers of God’s truth. Paul told Timothy, “We know that the law is good when used correctly. For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God” (I Timothy 1: 8-11).
Paul’s objection to these false teachers is what their teaching did to the truth. It contradicts wholesomeness and diminishes the glory of God, and opens the door to all kinds of sin. Paul said something else that provided a personal context from a spiritual father to a spiritual son. He offered Timothy a perspective on his personal life and ministry.
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. (vs. 15-16). After providing a list of sins that would negatively impact a person’s spiritual life, Paul offered a transparent perspective to Timothy that reveals a heart that has been adjusted over time by the mercy of God – “…and I am the worst of them all.”
Without an ongoing adjustment in our character and personal perspective, we will try to elevate ourselves in an attempt to rise to the top of the heap of sinners giving the impression that we are better than other people and somehow immune from the very sins we so easily condemn in others. That is an unprotected and unhealthy perspective of our life. Because it is unprotected, it will become vulnerable to the effects of our pride. It will also close the door to building a relationship with those who are on any list of sins who need a Savior. Putting ourselves at the bottom of the sin heap does something profound. It keeps us humble and constantly in need of God’s mercy. As a result of that perspective, it will open doors, and “Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.”
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Garris Elkins
Featured Image by John Kantas from Pixabay
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