I am a Sinful Man

I AM A SINFUL MAN 
(Michael R. Baggett)

“...for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13).

     When you read about the Pharisees do you get the impression they think they are “all that and a bag of chips?” The Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors who were known to overtax people for personal gain. When the Pharisees asked why Jesus ate with sinners, Jesus told them “...I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13). The Pharisees considered themselves righteous, and everyone else sinners. The truth is we are all sinners. 

     In Luke Chapter Five, Peter and his fishing partners fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus told Peter to launch out into the deep and throw the net. They took up so many fish the net started to break, and the boat started sinking! When Peter saw this great miracle, he fell at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). The power and perfect righteousness of Jesus overwhelmed Peter and caused him to see himself exactly as he is – a sinner! 

     Many of the Pharisees had seen the miracles of Jesus firsthand or heard the reports about His miracles. Most of these religious men never recognized that God was in their presence, and they were sinfulness men. When Jesus raised Lazarus, who had been dead four days, the Pharisees could not deny the miracle was done yet took agreed to put Jesus to death! (John 11:46-53). Most of the Pharisees were not moved to repentance by the righteousness and awe-spiring signs of Jesus. Is it any wonder some hearts cannot be reached today?  

     In contrast, Peter felt the darkness of sin within himself as he stood exposed and open to Jesus the light of the world! How would you feel standing next to the Son of God as He causes a fishing net to fill with fish to the point of starting to split open? How would you react if you had seen Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead? I hope it would affect you just like it did Peter! Jesus can see right through the flesh into the deep wells of the soul! Jesus knows your deepest thoughts! (Psalms 139:1-2). 

     The Apostles, all but one who died a natural death, died because of preaching what they had heard and seen concerning Jesus' mighty works. The Apostles left their inspired records in the gospels, Acts, and the epistles concerning the all-powerful and all-knowing Son of God. John tells us Jesus' miracles are written for us so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:31). The word of God has been delivered and preserved so that each generation can study it and come to faith in the Only Begotten Son of God (Romans 10:17; Ephesians 3:4; 1st John 5:13). 

     Feel small yet? Maybe so, but Jesus, as powerful as He is, loves you and is ready to forgive your sins. He loves you so much He died an agonizing death of crucifixion being nailed to a wooden cross. Jesus did this for you so you would not have to die in your sins (Romans 5:8). To die in your sins is to spend an eternity in a burning hell (Romans 6:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). If you feel like you are too bad to be forgiven, remember, Jesus did not come to call those who think they are righteous, but He is calling sinners. Even Saul the great persecutor of the church who had men and women put in prison and had some murdered, was forgiven of his terrible crimes! (1 Timothy 1:12-15). 

     The first step to forgiveness is realizing you are a sinner; so, feeling remorse and sorrow for sins is a positive thing (Acts 2:36; 2 Corinthians 7:10). All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We may feel small when we recognize the awesomeness of Jesus, and awareness of our sins, but Jesus thinks we are so important He died for you and me! The sinner who comes to Christ becomes a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). God “...hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus “(Ephesians 2:6). When one realizes he is a sinner, comes to faith in Jesus, repents of sins and is baptized into Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, the Blood of Jesus is applied to his soul. The obedient candidate can rejoice knowing that his sins are forgiven. The same God who applies the Blood of Jesus to the sinner's soul adds him to the saved people known as the Church (see Acts 2:36-41; 47). Jesus purchased the Church with His own Blood (Acts 20:28). The Church is the saved (Ephesians 5:23, 25). 

     Jesus calls us through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14). We are all sinners who need His saving grace. Righteousness can only be had in Jesus. Not only can we be made righteous in Him, but we can walk with Him having perfect fellowship (1st John 1:7-9). What will you do with Jesus?