.....save

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief 1 Timothy 1:15

The Christian Herald once ran a story about London's Crystal Palace where, on October 7, 1857, Charles Spurgeon preached to 23,654 people. According to the paper, Spurgeon visited the hall the day before, fearing his voice wouldn't carry to all corners. Standing on stage, he quoted 1 Timothy 1:15.

Satisfied with the acoustics, Spurgeon left the building, unaware that a poor workman, battling depression, had been huddling behind one of the statues trying to pray. Suddenly, a voice boomed into his ears: "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."

From that moment, the man was converted to Christ.

At the beginning of church history, God deliberately transformed the angriest anti-Christian zealot on earth, Saul of Tarsus, as an example of His power to save anyone and everyone. "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" v. 16

If you've given up on yourself or your loved one, don't! Jesus came to save the chief of sinners - the worst of the worst - and that's a statement deserving all acceptance.

- david langerfed