“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst. 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.” – 1 Timothy 1:15-17

I once watched a television advert promoting a cleaning product. To demonstrate its power, the company chose a heavily stained surface, applied the cleaner, allowed it to sit, and then washed it off. The result–a visibly clean surface–was meant to prove the product’s effectiveness.

God’s patience is the reason any sinner remains alive long enough to repent

In a similar way, the strength of a weightlifter is revealed by the heaviness of the weights he can lift. The greater the weight, the clearer the evidence of his power.

In much the same manner, the apostle Paul presents his own salvation as evidence of the power of God’s grace. His transformation–from a violent persecutor to a servant of Christ–demonstrates the depth of divine mercy and the extent of Christ’s patience toward sinners.

The Mission of Jesus

The apostle writes, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world.” That the Son of God was made flesh and dwelt among us is a statement worthy of trust. The acceptance or otherwise of this truth is proof of the genuineness of a spirit. John said, “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (1 John 4:2). Any “who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh … any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist” (2 John 1:7).

Why is this so important? Because it is only in the flesh that Christ could become the sacrificial Lamb whose blood atones for sin.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and to display his unlimited patience in doing so

Why did he come in the flesh? Paul gives the answer plainly: “save sinners”. This is not secondary–it is central. That is his primal mission. He didn’t come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13). Though he healed the sick, raised the dead, and fed the hungry, his central purpose was salvation. Joseph was told to name him Jesus, “because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). It is this that is a faithful saying and deserving of full acceptance.

The Worst of Sinners

Paul goes further to say that among those Jesus came to save, he is the worst. He breathed out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples and sought clearance from the authorities to search out and take as prisoners any, male or female, who belonged to Christ (Acts 9:1-2). If he wasn’t directly involved in their murder, he at least gave approval for it (Acts 7:58). Even when he was saved, the apostle described himself as “less than the least of all saints” (Ephesians 3:8).

That is a mark of his humility and a genuine realization of how utterly despicable he was prior to Christ saving him.

There are no minor sinners before a holy God

You shouldn’t think any higher of yourself, even though saved. There are no minor sinners before a holy God. None of us was a ‘small’ sinner that was deserving of some mercy. All of us stood fully deserving of the wrath of a holy God. That view of our unsaved condition is essential if we must rightly make much of the salvation that we have been offered in Jesus. Small views of sin produce small views of grace. When the ‘sinful’ woman came to see herself in the light of Christ, she responded by breaking her alabaster jar, anointing his feet, kissing and wiping them with her hair. Jesus said those who have been forgiven much love much. It is those who have realized how much they have been forgiven of their many sins that love the saviour much. We love because he first loved us.

For The Display of Unlimited Patience

Paul explains that he was shown mercy so that, “Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”

This raises a profound question: what is the extent of God’s patience? Scripture’s answer is clear–it is without limit.

God never runs out of patience. Even when he repays sinners for what their deeds deserve, it is a display of divine justice and not for want of patience. Our human relationships fail and break down because we run out of patience; God’s doesn’t. He has an endless supply of it. His patience is the reason any sinner remains alive long enough to repent. As Peter explains, this world as we know it, still exists, not because God is slow in keeping his promises, but because he is patient (2 Peter 3:9). Just as a powerful cleaning agent is best demonstrated on the toughest stain, so also God’s patience is most clearly displayed in saving the most undeserving sinners.

Small views of sin produce small views of grace

Paul is saying he was saved for that very reason: God is so patient and that needs to be shown. He has chosen that the way to show his boundless patience is by saving the worst of sinners. And this is not only true for Paul, it is so for us all. Peter says you are a chosen people so “that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). That declaration includes showing the infinite patience of God, that he can wait for many years while we pile up sin upon sin and still save us so that this patience of his can receive the publicity and praise that it deserves.

Hope for Sinners

What is the end goal of this display of limitless patience? Is it vainglorious, that God is just seeking for praises? No, Paul says it is to give hope to other sinners, that they too can believe and repent and obtain this same mercy. This is the gospel: that Jesus shows great longsuffering in the conversion of sinners. If Paul, the worst of sinners by his own admission, can be saved, then God can extend the same patience and salvation to anyone.

Are you reading this and feeling trapped in sin, convinced that God could never accept you? Hear this: the same God who was patient with Paul is being patient with you. The very fact that you are alive is evidence of his patience. He has preserved you to this moment so that you might turn to him. He saved Paul so that you can see that you too are not beyond redemption; you can be saved. “Believe on him and receive eternal life.” When you believe in him, that Jesus was sent by him in the flesh; that he died and rose for you; you will be saved. Do not delay–respond to his patience today.

Your story may be the means God uses to bring another to faith

This truth also encourages those engaged in the Great Commission. No sinner is too far gone. The hardest hearts may yet become the clearest displays of God’s patience. The very hardened ones you are almost giving up on may just have been God, waiting for a threshold to be reached so that their salvation can display his unlimited patience and serve to give hope to even more terrible sinners. Never you write anyone off. Perhaps you have looked at some wicked sinner and felt the door of salvation should be closed in their face. Jonah felt the same for the people of Nineveh. God’s patience is unlimited; you have no idea how much longer he is willing to wait for them. Instead, pray. Trust that God’s patience may yet lead them to repentance.

Finally, consider your own life. What will you do to show forth this excellence of God–his immeasurable patience? Do you have a personal salvation story, one that shows how patient God has been with your failings? When the opportunity comes, share it. Who knows which sinner God will use your story as a convicting example of his unlimited patience and bring to faith and eternal life.