Reflecting on the Problem (Friday Devotional)

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

- 1 Timothy 1:15

In 1908, with political alliances fraying in Europe and rumblings of war already beginning, The Times of London posed a big question to some of the leading thinkers of the day: “What is wrong with the world?” The answers were as varied as you might expect. Some pointed to political instability, others to social issues, and some scapegoated specific leaders and groups of people.

But it was the response of G.K. Chesterton, one of the most renowned Christian writers of the 20^th century, that is remembered today. Asked what was wrong with the world, Chesterton’s response was succinct:

“Dear Sirs,

I am.

Sincerely, G.K. Chesterton.”

When we think about problems—whether in our families, our churches, our nation, or our world—we rarely take Chesterton’s perspective. We look outward before we turn inward, ready to find fault and cast blame. Sin is something we are victimized by, not something we are guilty of. Other people are the problem.

But the apostle Paul took a different perspective. Instead of seeing himself as the hero of his story, he understood himself as the worst sinner of all, someone utterly unworthy of salvation on his own merits. When he thought about his past deeds, his present temptations, and the inadequacies he struggled with every day, he could only draw the same conclusion G.K. Chesterton did 1,900 years later: he was the problem.

But Paul didn’t need to despair any more than Chesterton did in 1908 or you do today—because while we are the problem, Jesus is the solution; Christ came into the world to save sinners. The grace of God is great enough to save even the worst of sinners if you will come to him in repentance and faith, trusting him to redeem you.

When problems rear their ugly heads, sin tells you to look anywhere but the mirror, to find someone you can blame, someone you can condemn, someone you can hate. But sinners saved by grace ought to have a different perspective, looking with humility at our own culpability and then seeking forgiveness and redemption. Instead of leaping to judgment in times of turmoil, may we turn first to reflection.