Friday, July 29 – 1 Timothy 1:15

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost.

Have you ever been afraid to admit that you were wrong about something? Better yet, how many people like having to admit they’re wrong? We often fear admitting we’re wrong about one thing will invite criticism into every area of our lives. If we give an inch, someone might take a mile. Or we feel that if we admit we’re wrong on something now, others won’t listen to us in the future.

But following Jesus starts with admitting we were wrong. We can’t be made right with God if we can’t admit our own brokenness! This is why Paul’s admission in 1 Timothy 1:15 is so stunning—he was a champion of the Old Testament law, a supposed expert in righteousness, a leader of the most “upright” religious group of his time, but he called himself the worst of sinners. We might wonder, “What was Paul thinking? He was going to lose all of his audience, respect, reputation, and power. How could he make a strong stand for the gospel after admitting how broken he was?”

Paul knew admitting brokenness was essential to following Jesus. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Paul didn’t just encourage us to consider this idea but to accept it completely. Salvation in Jesus begins with admitting our brokenness. The Christian faith is not one of “defending the fort,” it’s admitting the fort is crashing in all around us. Where we admit brokenness, God will meet us there to reconcile.

• Why is it so hard to admit when you are wrong?
• What are the areas in your life where you need to admit your brokenness and fault?
• Repent from those things that you have not wanted to admit, and praise God for His restoration.