By Byron Garmo, President
What was Christ’s purpose for coming to earth?
According to 1 Timothy 1:15-16, the Apostle Paul wrote, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”
Paul intended this trustworthy saying to stick with Timothy, the young man who had accompanied him on missionary trips to early churches.
I’m sure that Paul talked about other things during his lifetime: Tent-making, his life experiences, and the weather. Yet everything Paul wrote to Timothy and to the early churches was anchored to the cross of Christ and His resurrection. Paul would not be remembered for his ability—or lack of ability—at small talk. No. Paul was remembered for proclaiming the supreme truth that Jesus Christ the Messiah died for the sins of the ungodly (Romans 5:6).
“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:37-40 ESV)
These days, you and I are bombarded with many issues that compete for our attention. But let’s not lose sight of what really matters in the scope of eternity.
Believers have been given incredible hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus promised never to cast out those who come to Him, who believe in Him. The sins of the world can’t outweigh the shed blood of Christ.
Do you believe in Christ? In His victory over sin and death? He died for your sins—and mine—all of them … past, present, and future. This Good News is meant to be shared.
If you believe in Christ, who would you share the gospel with if you only had three months to live? Or three days? Or three minutes? Who has God placed in your life that needs to hear about the hope of the gospel?
