WONDROUS blessed truth that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners! The first time it is seen it fills the soul with surprise and unutterable joy.
Many years ago, in a time of spiritual inquiry, a stranger, having an air of superior intelligence, called on me in distress of mind. In speaking to her, I was brought to a stand by her thorough knowledge of the letter and the doctrine of the Scriptures, and finding I could add no instruction, I asked no further question, but briefly opened and pressed the words, “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners,” and ended with prayer. While I was speaking, a stream of silent tears began to flow, and she looked relieved, but was silent.
A week after she returned with her face bright with joy, to tell me that she had found that peace with God which she had before been vainly seeking. I asked her, “Why did you weep when you let me before?”
“I wept for joy.”
“And what gave you the joy?”
“I saw, as you were speaking, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.”
“But you knew that before?”
“No.”
“Then what did you think?”
“I always thought that Jesus Christ came into the world to save saints, and I wept for joy when I saw that He came to save sinners.” It is written, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners: of whom I am chief” (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)).