“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

I am the chief of sinners. This is not something I was, Paul says; it is something I am, currently. If you cannot see yourself this way, then you are deluded, puffed up, and soon to be humbled. All glory belongs to Christ in salvation and everyday grace. He is the reason that we're saved.

First, Paul is the chief of sinners because of who he was. He was hateful to his neighbor, blasphemous towards God, and he persecuted true believers. 1 Timothy 1:13, “even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief.” God made him faithful. 1 Timothy 1:12, “I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service.” He didn't look at Paul, and say, “He's got potential.” He looked at him and said, “I love this sinner because of Jesus Christ, and I will make him faithful. He'll be an Apostle, and honor me. I'll give him abundant grace, which comes with faith and love. He'll die for me.” 1 Timothy 1:12, 14, “I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful [He'd make me faithful] and appointed me to his service… and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

Thank God for this grace, and always know it was God's doing; it was not us at all.

Secondly, Paul is the chief of sinners and chief of the Apostles at the same time! This is glorious grace. 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” It's not sin that grace may abound. It's, “I am what I am by the grace of God.” Being a lowly sinner and zealous servant are completely compatible. They fit like hand and glove.

Those who truly know their sins and God's mercy are the humblest and most sincere of servants. They don't glorify self, or live upon human strength. They think nothing of themselves and everything of Jesus. They are not paralyzed by human sinfulness. Trusting God's grace, love, and mercy, they give him glory for forgiveness, appointment to ministry, and sufficient grace. They credit their goodness back to God!

Oh, to have this humble heart of self nothingness, which is the key to greatness in service. “whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant.” Now, we believe, rather than puffing out our chest. Now, the Spirit works in us. Believe that you're nothing, adore grace, and then grace will work in power.

Thirdly, Paul got grace as an example. 1 Timothy 1:16, “But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life.” Look at Paul - the chief of sinners - plowing through the kingdom of darkness. Look at him shake off the viper. Acts 28:5, “He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.” Look at him live zealously and abundantly. The proud bigot now serves the Gentiles. The arrogant religionist is no longer proud. The blasphemer teachers sound doctrine! God can do great things with us.

Don't think you can't be saved, or made useful. Don't think that God can't do wonders with you. The power is his, and he is willing. He can give you God for your sins, and work with you, rather than against. He can unleash his mighty grace and overcome our inability. He does it by keeping us conscious of our nothingness, so that he can work in power.

Trace everything to grace. Do nothing to achieve status in the kingdom. Serve to glorify grace, rather than yourself. Matthew 6:1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Know that God deserves the glory through his Son. Take nothing for yourself. Do not be deceived, when you see results. Do not fall for human praise! We are sinners, and every good deed… every good thought… is God's predestinating grace. Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.”