I have often wondered if one is guilty of the sin of pride when one makes formal confession to being the greatest of sinners. Seriously, I have discovered that as I season in my walk with Christ, those little pesky sins with which I have dallied these many years have taken on a gravely more serious note to them.

Saint Paul says very much the same thing to his son-in-the-Lord in First Timothy 1.15-17: ‘Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.’ Now I believe that sin is sin, and all sin is deadly, but Paul’s perception has to do with his own relationship with his Father God over time.

Quite simply, God uses our awareness of our own sin to teach us of the fullness of his forgiveness in Christ Jesus, and Paul continues: ‘But 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 on him and receive eternal life.’ No repentant sinner is beyond redemption.

One wonders how God could be so forgiving of the likes of us. I have even gone so far as to refer to myself as a professional sinner, and yet God eagerly sets me free. Let’s agree with Paul here: ‘Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.’ YES! AMEN!