Purpose: Sent to Save Sinners

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

– 1 Timothy 1:15

We probably have considered this all-important purpose of Jesus in one of the previous editions of our Purpose series. It is one purpose that cannot be overemphasized, as the understanding of it is at the core of our well-being and optimal manifestation. It is true that Jesus came to the world primarily to save sinners, all of them without an exception. The apostle affirms that it is not just true but is a faithful saying that is worthy of universal acceptance.

Sin became the second nature of humans after the fall in the Garden of Eden. This subsequently led to all activities and descendants of humankind becoming enmeshed in sin and marked with imperfection. Eventually, God decided it was enough to see humans operating in a fallen state – deprived, denied and reduced on account of sin. So, there was a need to upgrade humans from the level of sin to the heights of glory, where communing with God and functioning on earth would be with ease, as God intended it to be in the beginning.

To achieve that, certain things must be done: there must be a judgement, there must be suffering and there must be death, as representations of what each individual would need to experience in his/her individual capacity as a sinful soul. But, instead of handing over humans to be punished as deserved, God decided to send His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world so He could stand in the gap for humans and take the judgement, the suffering and the death due to everyone; thus, nullifying the power of condemnation over us and positioning Himself as the propitiation for our sins.

Having accomplished this, Jesus Christ thus became not just the propitiation for the sin of mankind, but also the veritable avenue by which humanity can be restored to God in fellowship. Having become sin Himself, who had no record of sin, He was able to convict sin and judge sinners. But, more importantly, He was able to save sinners and give them a clean slate to walk in righteousness without the wearying burden of sin.

The call to save sinners is a universal calling for all followers of Jesus. It is not restricted to some people alone, although some may have a greater burden of it than others. Seeing that it is a universal calling of all Christians, are you fulfilling this calling? If yes, God bless you, If no, you should start right away, right now.

You will succeed in Jesus’s Name!

Also, read:

• Purpose: Sent to Destroy the Works of the Devil (2)
• What Do You Say?
• I Laid Down My Islamic Privilege