"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail."
-Lamentations 3: 23

"Of Whom I Am The Worst"

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst." (1st Timothy 1: 15) The great evangelist Paul wrote this verse in which he talks about how Jesus came into the world to save sinners...'of whom I am the worst.' Paul describes himself as the worst of sinners. Have you ever felt that way about yourself? I know I have. When sin comes into your life and you fall short of the person that you believe God has created you to be. I imagine that many of us feel that we are the 'worst.' Is God's grace sufficient for even the 'worst of sinners?'

The answer is YES! In chapter 7 of the book of Romans Paul writes about struggles that he, and we have with sin. Perhaps you can relate to this illustration found there, " I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have a desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do, no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing." (Romans 7: 18-19) I can definitely relate as I have great thoughts of the good I want to do but then often find myself not doing it and instead of good I turn to something not good. But Paul goes on, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue you me from this body of death? Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7: 24) The hope for all of us who struggle with sin is found in Jesus Christ, our Lord!

It is in Jesus that I put my faith. I do not put my faith in me as I am weak and prone to fail. My faith is in Jesus and the grace, power to heal, power to restore, that can be found in Him. I am reminded again and again in my life that I am nothing without Jesus but with Him "...all things are possible." (Matthew 19: 26) The amazing thing about God can be found in 2nd Corinthians 12: 7-10 where Paul writes, "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Do you feel like the 'worst of sinners?' Then turn to Jesus and find grace, strength in Him!

I heard a song, "Only Grace," on the radio recently from Christian artist Matthew West. I found it encouraging. Some of the lyrics are here below. I pray that they will encourage you as well.

Only Grace
There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it's clear

There's only grace
There's only love
There's only mercy and believe me it's enough Your sins are gone Without a trace There's nothing left now There's only grace

Take a moment and encourage someone this week.

I pray that all is well with you. Please let me know if you have any prayer concerns or praises. Have a great week and remember to smile :), the Lord loves you!

In Christ,

Shan D. Hartsough

"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord, Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
-Isaiah 1: 18

Back