Infidel and Libertine
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”1Timothy 1:15,16
I believe it is in the church where John Newton the author of the beloved hymn Amazing grace preached much of his life, is a plaque with this inscription.
“John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.”
Above I’ve quoted from two men both giants in the history of Christianity, the apostle Paul and John Newton.
Although born a millennium and a half plus apart both had the same thing to tell.
Paul was a persecutor of Christians. Who initially put believers in prison. Yet Christ reached down to Paul and changed his life. This humbled Paul. Thus Paul could write, that he was the worst of sinners. That he was shown mercy so that,...
Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
John Newton was a slave trader who reportedly treated slaves brutally and forced himself on the female slaves. A man whom God reached down to and changed his life. A man who in the latter years of his life, reportedly told a friend
“My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Saviour.”
I think especially today here in North America many calling themselves Christians within our congregations and denominations, do not acknowledge they are sinners. They certainly do not think they are the worst of sinners.
Jesus tells this parable,
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14.
Many calling themselves Christians are not humble. They consciously or subconsciously think they have all the answers. They consider themself righteous in the sight of God simply because they have confessed their sins to God.
They call to other believers in Christ and indeed the secular world around them to repent of their sins. To conform to Christian values. Telling them if they don’t they are going to hell.
In doing so they pass judgement without mercy on those around them, quite often without realizing it.
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.
We must especially when dealing with the world around us remember at one time we were “the worst of sinners” in need of God’s Saving Grace. That we in our day to day lives fall short of God’s ideal for our lives and people around us see that.
We must remember that the world is watching us. We must remember they will not listen to anyone who is judging them. That I believe is why the apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.
“Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
We as true believers in Christ must at all times be humble. To remember where we have come from.
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”James 4:6-12.
If we like the apostle Paul and John Newton remember every day that we at one time were the worst of sinners in need of Christ’s Saving Grace we will I believe be able to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ far better.
Billy Graham the great American Evangelist said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
And the best way I feel we can do this is if we are humble of heart.
Please think about it.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”1Timothy 1:15,16
I believe it is in the church where John Newton the author of the beloved hymn Amazing grace preached much of his life, is a plaque with this inscription.
“John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.”
Above I’ve quoted from two men both giants in the history of Christianity, the apostle Paul and John Newton.
Although born a millennium and a half plus apart both had the same thing to tell.
Paul was a persecutor of Christians. Who initially put believers in prison. Yet Christ reached down to Paul and changed his life. This humbled Paul. Thus Paul could write, that he was the worst of sinners. That he was shown mercy so that,...
Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
John Newton was a slave trader who reportedly treated slaves brutally and forced himself on the female slaves. A man whom God reached down to and changed his life. A man who in the latter years of his life, reportedly told a friend
“My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Saviour.”
I think especially today here in North America many calling themselves Christians within our congregations and denominations, do not acknowledge they are sinners. They certainly do not think they are the worst of sinners.
Jesus tells this parable,
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14.
Many calling themselves Christians are not humble. They consciously or subconsciously think they have all the answers. They consider themself righteous in the sight of God simply because they have confessed their sins to God.
They call to other believers in Christ and indeed the secular world around them to repent of their sins. To conform to Christian values. Telling them if they don’t they are going to hell.
In doing so they pass judgement without mercy on those around them, quite often without realizing it.
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.
We must especially when dealing with the world around us remember at one time we were “the worst of sinners” in need of God’s Saving Grace. That we in our day to day lives fall short of God’s ideal for our lives and people around us see that.
We must remember that the world is watching us. We must remember they will not listen to anyone who is judging them. That I believe is why the apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.
“Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
We as true believers in Christ must at all times be humble. To remember where we have come from.
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”James 4:6-12.
If we like the apostle Paul and John Newton remember every day that we at one time were the worst of sinners in need of Christ’s Saving Grace we will I believe be able to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ far better.
Billy Graham the great American Evangelist said,
“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict,
God’s job to judge
and my job to love,
Billy Graham.
Jesus said,“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
And the best way I feel we can do this is if we are humble of heart.
Please think about it.
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