In 1 Timothy 1:8-11 Paul says the the Law of Moses condemns and confronts sinners in their way of life that is contrary to sound doctrine, “in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God.”

This mention of the gospel now causes Paul to move from a digression on the Law’s condemnation to the Gospel’s salvation. And what a glorious digression it is! The apostolic rabbit trail unveils the cause, nature, and effect of the gospel, which are all summarized in the trustworthy saying of 1 Timothy 1:15: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

The rabbit trail that has the ultimate, and glorious, aim to lead us to faith in Christ.  Yet, I also think Paul’s power packed statement on the gospel and subsequent doxology in 1 Timothy 1:17 should lead us to an important corporate reality:

It would lead us to excitement in the gospel.

What we see in the life and ministry of Paul is that nothing was more exciting to him than God’s glory in Christ as revealed in the gospel.  His remembrance of sin inevitable leads him to cling to the glorious mercy of God in Christ and that good news excites him more than anything else. The importance of this should not be missed and D.A. Carson, one of the greatest biblical scholars of our time, I think captures it best. He said once, “If I have learned anything in 35 or 40 years of teaching, it is that students don’t learn everything I teach them. What they learn is what I am excited about, the kinds of things I emphasize again and again and again and again. That had better be the gospel.”¹ What they learn is what I am excited about. So, what excites you?

I pray I would not be known preeminently by secondary things that excite me in this life (and maybe you too): books, diet, exercise, sports, or music.  I pray that our church would be most excited by the love of God in Jesus Christ and such excitement is what we would be known for.

Just a mention of the gospel causes Paul to launch into this most incredible reflection of God’s glory and love in Jesus. A gospel message stuffed into nine words (Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners), yet if we wanted to we could stretch it into all eternity and never exhaust its unsearchable riches.