--Chief of Sinners
1 Timothy 1:12-17

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
--(2 Corinthinas 4:7)

Paul was not a baby Christian when he called himself the "chief of sinners" or described his own tenacious battle with sin. Though he had walked with God and seen miracles, he still sinned often, trying hard to obey God yet finding that even when he desired to do what was right, he couldn't carry it out. If the great apostle Paul had that problem, should we be surprised by our own ongoing struggles?

Paul's conclusion is perfect: "Who will rescue me from this body of death? Jesus Christ" (Romans 7:24-25)! We have been delivered already from the death our sin deserves; one day we will be delivered from our bodies of death as well. As glorified saints in a new creation, our sin will be gone forever--and thank God! Until then, we will stuggle with very real, painful sin.

To survive life's failures, look to Christ, the author and finisher of your faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross. You are His joy! Look at Him and not at yourself, and your soul will flourish as a result of your weakness.
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God saves some notorious sinners just to prove that He can, and they stand as unique trophies of grace and monuments to His redeeming power.

--Haven Today