Born to Save Sinners

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (1 Timothy 1:15)

Whenever I reflect on the Savior’s incarnation—the Word made flesh (John 1:14), God taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men, and being found in human form (Philippians 2:5-8)—I am filled with renewed gratitude for why Jesus, our Savior, came to us.

Jesus came into the world to save sinners, myself included. I don't have to commit the hideous sins that society considers severe to acknowledge that I've sinned greatly; I only need to look in the mirror with honesty and see my sin without partiality. All sins are offensive to God, and since we're all sinners, that makes us unworthy of Him.

The Bible says all of us have fallen short of the glory of God, all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23), deserving of God's wrath (Ephesians 2:3), and that the punishment for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Yet, in God's mercy, He demonstrated His love for us by sending Jesus to die in our place (Romans 5:8).

I have celebrated Christmas for many years, but I never truly appreciated its meaning until God's grace helped me understand. It's more than the love we have for our loved ones; it's about the love of God for us. It's more than receiving and giving gifts; it's about God giving us His Son. The notion that God gave us His only begotten Son may seem simple, yet we often overlook the depth of this gift. God gave us His Son knowing that He would have to turn His back on Him. Jesus’ birth was not for Him to experience the joyful aspects of life on earth, but rather the opposite — His life was filled with hardships.

Jesus came to die—not just to die, but to absorb the wrath of God that justly should have been poured out on me; on us. He was pierced for our transgressions; crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5).

Through Jesus' death, God's wrath was satisfied; making way for reconciliation, specifically for those who believe. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is to be received by faith (Romans 3:25), for without it, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is enough. Trust Him; believe in Him! It is finished! The salvation of mankind is only through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). The Bible is clear: by grace we have been saved, through faith—and this is not from ourselves; it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). In Titus, it says that God saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy (Titus 3:5).

Jesus' coming into the world involves a sacrificial role; He was born to die on the cross to provide a way of reconciliation to God. This is how we're supposed to remember Christmas! We're meant to remember His gift—His greatest gift—the great exchange! Christ took the sins of the world and in return offers His righteousness to those who believe (2 Corinthians 5:21). Such a glorious gospel that makes us look to Christ alone! Indeed, apart from Christ, there is no hope.

"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)

Photo retrieved from encouraging.com