We are all sinners in this world. No matter our title, position, or spiritual maturity, we were born into sin and shaped in iniquity. Scripture makes this truth clear in 1 John 1:8 (NLT):
“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.”
If anyone states they have not sinned, they are not speaking truth. To say we are without sin would imply perfection—and only Jesus walked this earth without sin. We must never allow pride to convince us that we are beyond repentance.
Yet, here is the glory of the Gospel: God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, in human form to take on the sins of every person—past, present, and future—so that we could have the opportunity for eternal life. Jesus is not only a Savior to the saints, but He is a Savior to sinners as well.
The apostle Paul humbly declared in 1 Timothy 1:15 (NLT):
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I am the worst of them all.”
If Paul, chosen and used mightily by God, could recognize his need for grace, how much more should we acknowledge ours? Salvation is not for those who believe they are flawless. It is for those who recognize they need a Redeemer.
Herbert Lockyer writes, “The Lord Jesus is the Savior of saints in that He seeks to save them from the fruit as well as from the root of sin.” Jesus does not merely address the outward acts (the fruit); He heals the inward condition (the root). He transforms our hearts, renews our minds, and teaches us to walk in righteousness.
Our Advocate and Atoning Sacrifice
The Word reassures us in 1 John 2:1–2 (NLT):
“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins-and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”
The Finished Work of the Cross
Jesus did not have to take on the sins of the world to save us. Yet through His obedience to our Heavenly Father, He willingly endured shame, suffering, and pain on our behalf. It was love that held Him there. It was obedience that carried Him through.
Lockyer reminds us, “The appropriation of the finished work of the cross means we are made the recipients of a new life.” When we receive what Christ has already completed, we are not simply forgiven—we are given new life.
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