Daily Devotional – Thursday, December 13, 2023
This is a faithful saying worthy of all acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
1 Timothy 1:15 (NKJV)
I recently came across a Facebook video that discredited Christianity. It was titled, ‘The Bible Might Not Be The Best Place To Look For Role Models.’ The sub-title was equally captivating: ‘8 Biblical Good Guys Who Did Terrible Things’.
Far From Exemplary
My curiosity was aroused, so I decided to watch the video. In summary, it described how David, Solomon, Jephthah, Lot, Paul, and three other Bible characters were pathetic sinners who did not merit a place among righteous people. These and other vile sinners were not role models in a book that stood for purity and perfection.
From a human point of view, the person who created the video was right. These killers, adulterers, liars, and drunkards were far from exemplary. Indeed, the Bible narrates the stories of bad guys who did terrible things. Bible critics, therefore, question the rationale of narrating their evil escapades.
I am the Chief of Sinners
On a second thought, though, I love the Bible for presenting in black and white the negative aspects of the lives of its main characters. It reminds me that God loves sinners but hates sin. The fact that God forgave David, Paul, Abraham, Peter, and so on gives me hope that Jesus will forgive my God when I turn to Him in repentance.
One of the vilest offenders, among those cited as not being role models, wrote to a young pastor, stating, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15). Paul is my role model because, like him, I am an underserving beneficiary of the grace of God.
The Best Place to Look for Role Models
Therefore, contrary to Bible critics, the Bible is the best place to look for role models, not because we want to model their sinful lives, but because they demonstrate that no human being is beyond God’s love and forgiveness.
Take a moment today and reflect on how much God loves you and the sins for which He has forgiven you. Determine to be a positive role model for others who need God’s forgiveness and restoration.
Prayer
Loving Father, thank You for forgiving vile sinners and for including their stories in the Bible. In their experiences, I find hope and joy.
