Who Needs Saving? Everyone (1 Tim. 1:15)

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of who I am chief." (v. 15)

Paul freely admits that, in his opinion, he was the worst of all sinners. I feel like one of the primary reasons that the gospel is not accepted in the Western world especially is because most people do not view themselves as "sinners." Indeed, many unbelievers have said that they expect to be in Heaven when they die because they are a "good person." If everyone is good, then what need is there for a Savior?

This belief that people are good is unbiblical. The Bible says, "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3:10). However, most people do not view themselves as sinners. Sinners, or evil people, are generally viewed as those who kill and rape. However, they do not know what Jesus said about murder. He said, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment (Matt. 5:21-22). Jesus equates anger in one's heart as the same murder. Where does murder start? The plans for murder starts in the heart. Therefore, Jesus "ups the anty" and states that everyone is basically evil. He also mentions that if one looks lustfully at a woman he has already committed adultery in his heart.

Therefore, Jesus makes it quite clear that we are all sinners and in need of a savior. The world likes to believe that God is love. As Jesus showed, yes, God is love but he is also a god of justice and of truth. In this case, the truth is that we are all evil "sinners." Thanks to God for His grace!