An Imposter?

“…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” — and I am the worst of them. But I received mercy for this reason , so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1: 15b-16 csb

Have you ever felt like an imposter while working in a position of authority? Or maybe you’ve felt unqualified in the field you’re in? Some felt this way about the Apostle Paul and I dare say, at times, Paul may have felt it too. His life before Christ certainly weighed on him. We can look back at who we were and feel like who we are now is just a phony version of ourselves. Feeling like an imposter is normal; most Christians have experienced it at one point or another.

But here’s the truth: it’s a trap to get you looking inward instead of upward. Your new life in Christ serves more than one purpose, but two stand out: saving you from hell and bringing Christ glory! God demonstrates who He is by saving the most vile of creatures, fallen man. Paul declared to Timothy (who, I speculate, may have wrestled with the same “imposter syndrome” I’ve felt many times), “I am the worst!” he said. It’s almost funny, not because Paul was joking, but because it was true. In essence, Paul says, “You think you’re bad Tim, I’ve got you beat!” Yes, Paul was formerly a bad guy, but then he says, “But I have received mercy.” Mercy is a gift. And when you receive a gift, it’s yours whether you feel worthy of it or not.

Some times when we fall into old habits and sin we can begin to question “am I really saved?” Or we can feel like we were never genuinely changed, and are just an imposter! This causes a sense of hypocrisy, insecurity, and doubt. That’s exactly what condemnation is supposed to do, it is not from the Holy Spirit but from the flesh, and the devil. The truth is, friend, we will all struggle with sin, and at times blow it bad. However, whether or not you feel like a “real Christian,” in Christ you are a forgiven sinner who has also received mercy, and nothing can ever change that, not even feelings of being an imposter. Paul said this wonderful truth, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 csb. God has done this to save you and to glorify Himself through you! Friend, keep at it, walk in it, own it! Forget those who question it, including your own thought life and the devil.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!”
 - 2 Corinthians 5:17 csb

Agape, Frank