1 Timothy 1: 13
Paul repeatedly referred to himself as the chief of sinners. An odd designation to our ears of a man who grew up in the strength of the temple, who dedicated his life to learning the law, to following its every command. I think we might point more quickly to a terrorist or a serial killer, to one who destroys for the pleasure of destruction.
I guess I always thought Paul's use of the term either crushing guilt over his earlier persecution of Christians, or a prod of conviction to his followers; is this is who I am, where does that leave you?
He gives more detail here though.
A blasphemer: irreverent to God
A persecutor: hostile to the children of God
An arrogant man: proudly refusing the instruction of God
It's a terrifying list that blankets a world of history, that explodes through every newscast of the day, and sidles into every quiet house of deceptive calm. Those heinous choices worked by the obvious villains, spring from the same heart as mine. What is any sin but the assumption of superiority to God?
No comments:
Post a Comment