Present Tense

1 Timothy 1:15 (CEB) · The Gospel on Stage and Screen

“This saying is reliable and deserves full acceptance: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,’ and I’m the biggest sinner of all.” — 1 Timothy 1:15 (CEB)

Notice the tense. Paul is near the end of his life. He has planted churches and written letters Christians still read. And when he calls himself the biggest sinner of all, he does not say “I used to be.” He writes it present tense. I am.

That grammar matters. Spiritual maturity does not work by graduation. You do not outgrow your need for mercy. The closer Paul walked with Jesus, the more honestly he saw himself, and the more clearly he needed the grace that called him.

This is a relief, if you let it be. Many of us carry a quiet suspicion that we are falling behind. Paul had not moved on from his need. He had moved deeper into grace. Where do you still need grace today? That honest answer is not failure. It is the doorway.

Faithful God, you do not ask me to graduate from grace. Make me honest about how much I still need it, and grateful every time it arrives again. Amen.