verticallife

“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. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

I’m not in a habit of arguing with biblical writers, but I think Paul is wrong in his letter to Timothy. I can think of many people who were (and are) worse off than he was. You are currently reading the words from a man who really is the “worst of sinners.” I guess I couldn’t imagine arguing with my brothers (we used to, we don’t anymore!),

“I’m the worst of sinners.”

“No, I am.”

That’s not something we would have argued about. Yet this is the truth. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I’m one of them, and so are you. (So let’s just praise the Lord. um, never mind).

“The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10) That brings us to our next story on the kingdom. Jesus said, “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.” (Matthew 20:1-2) He went back out in the afternoon to gather more workers and still more in the evening. When it came time to pay his workers, he paid them all the same wage. Not fair, right? Those who worked less didn’t deserve to get the same amount, right?

“When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ (20:12-15)

Do you know anyone who doesn’t deserve to be “paid” what you are paid? Will you be disappointed if the Landowner is as generous to “the worst of sinners” as He is to you?