Chief of sinners
by Rachael Stelzer
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Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst (1 Timothy 1:15b).
William McComb was a teacher, bookseller and writer who lived in Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries. He wrote the hymn Chief of Sinners, based on this verse among others:
Chief of sinners though I be,
Jesus shed His blood for me.
Died that I might live on high,
Lived that I might never die.
As the branch is to the vine,
I am His and He is mine.
Paul knew that his history as a persecutor and killer of Christians made him the least likely candidate for Jesus’ mercy. That is exactly why he was chosen to receive grace. Jesus’ patience was thrown into greater focus by the sheer unworthiness of Paul to receive it. And Paul was humble enough to realise this.
I find this such a comfort, and yet we try to appear worthy of Jesus’ mercy all too often. We try to be seen as ‘good people’ with our lives all together. We often want to be worthy in our own right, as if our church were a showcase for the brilliant and righteous, rather than a hospital for the spiritually sick.
But when Paul was struggling with a physical ailment and asked God to take it away, God responded, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9). If I am impressive in my own right, how can people recognise Jesus’ grace in me?
What a joy and relief it is to say with Paul, ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst’. And to sing with William McComb, ‘Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for me’.
O my Saviour, help afford
By Your Spirit and Your Word!
When my wayward heart would stray,
Keep me in the narrow way;
Grace in time of need supply
While I live and when I die.
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