1 Timothy 1:16 NASB1995 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
Paul calls himself the foremost of sinners. Many of us, in our shame of sin, feel that the horrid title of foremost sinner should belong to us. What we all who are saved can find comfort in is that Jesus demonstrates His perfect patience through us.
This is a witness to those who are lost. This shows that God can provide for them eternal life also. Through His substitutionary death even though they are sinners Jesus has the power to provide life eternal. While we should never be proud of our sin I do not believe it is beneficial to others that we hide sin that God has saved us from. We should understand that it is filthy and when we talk of this sin we should describe it as such. However, by hiding it, we lead others to think that we are good and God didn't have to save us from much. The truth is that just one sin is enough for us to deserve eternal death. By us being open about the horrendous, and shameful, sin that God saved us from. We show them that they can be saved from theirs.
We all need to realize that the statement Paul makes in this verse could honestly be said by every sinner that has ever been saved.
1 Timothy 1:16 NASB1995 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
Let's show the world that in our shame of sin we found mercy in Jesus. Therefore so can they.
Love Bro. Scott