The Advent Series: Christ Came to Die for Us All

1 Timothy 1:15 _{New Living Translation}

“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them all.’”

                 The Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy, his “true son in the faith”. The nature of Paul’s letter was to encourage and instruct the young leader, who had served as a leader in the church at Ephesus. Judaizers were infiltrating the church, pushing gentile converts to follow Jewish customs and practices. Such peripheral issues were not to be given credence. Gentiles were being asked to practice Judaism at man’s request, not God’s.

                 In Paul’s letter he accentuated the fact that Jesus came to save sinners. Jesus himself said: “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” ^{[Luke 5:31-32]} When Christ came he came for a very specific purpose, to minister to all those who know they were leading a sinful life. These were the people in need of attention. Those who believe they were just fine spiritually speaking find it difficult to envision themselves as sinners in need of saving. People are really no different today.

                 This Advent Season is a time of reflection on whom the infant born in Bethlehem truly was and who we are in relation to him. Have you faced your sinful past head on and received forgiveness from God thru the blood of Christ or are you stuck in the delusion that mere belief is more than enough to secure your place in your eternal home? Christ came for a reason; he came to die for the sins of man. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource:  The Life Application Study Bible.