p. 371 | To Save Sinners

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Jun 18, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 24.

To Save Sinners.

"CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." And that is a faithful saying which is worthy of all acceptation—is it? Well, it certainly seems to hit you and me, to begin with. If the Lord Jesus had come into this world to visit angels, we should have no gain from his mission. If he had come here to receive to himself those who were pure and worthy, he would not have looked us up. If he had come to save those who were doing as well as they knew how, although they were not altogether sinless, you and I would still have been counted out from his purposes. But, as he came to save sinners, we are evidently included in his searching. And if even the very chiefest of all sinners is taken into his plans of love, neither you nor I can feel excluded. It may seem that not all of us can be chiefest of sinners; but each one of us is more of a sinner than anybody else—so far as he knows: for each one of us has a consciousness of his own sinfulness beyond all his knowledge of any one else's sinfulness. Yes, this is a faithful saying, and as comforting as it is faithful. There is no limit to its application. It takes us all in—all and each. Jesus Christ came to save me; for he came to save sinners. And whatever doubt I may have as to other qualifications, I am sure that I have this fitness for his reach; and as the chief of sinners is included, I am not shut out from hope.—Sel.