(1 Timothy 1:15) Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

Many people speculate about who Jesus was and what he was all about. 

Some say he was just a peasant. 

Others say he was a good teacher. 

And still others say he did not even exist. 

But what does the Bible say? This verse is clear and concise concerning why Jesus, although fully God, became fully human and lived in our world. 

First, he came into our world. 

This is theologically called the “incarnation” of Jesus Christ. 

He was not a fake human. 

He became fully human, just like we are, as Philippians 2:6-8 tells us, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” 

Second, Jesus came into our world to save us. 

What does the biblical word “save” mean? 

As Christians, we hear the word “save” all the time, but we often do not understand its comprehensive meaning. 

The word “save” means to deliver, rescue, heal, and transform. 

Salvation has these three dimensions: 

We “are saved” when we truly accept Jesus into our hearts.

We “are being saved” through our Christian lives.

We “are saved” when we truly accept Jesus into our hearts, 

We “are being” saved through our Christian lives.

We “will be saved” when Jesus returns again. 

Third, what does it mean by the word “sinners?” 

We are all sinners, every one of us. 

We are born sinners. 

We sin because we are sinners. 

As 1 Timothy 1:15 tells us, Jesus came into the world to save humanity—us sinners.

But he actually came into the world to transform our sinful nature.

Once we are born again—the Holy Spirit living within us—God begins to transform our sinful hearts. 

Once that happens, we no longer desire to sin. 

God’s salvation is an internal-out transformation, not an external-in transformation. 

Are you trying to act right, so your heart will change? 

Or are in allowing the Holy Spirit to transform your heart so your behavior will change? 

There is a big difference.