“I Patrick…

 a Sinner”

  Jesus didn’t die for Catholics, Protestants, or Muslims, Irish, or English, French, or Jews – Jesus died to save SINNERS! If you are not a sinner, then you can’t get into heaven! If you are…  here is some good news!

There was a man, named Patrick, who lived in a time, not so much different than today. A rebel, a slave, a sinner – turned preacher of the Gospel to a people who were, just like him, sinners, in need of the Saviour. What happened? And why did it so affect Ireland, and Europe?

Because of St. Patrick, Ireland became known as “the land of saints and scholars.” It became a thriving centre of Bible Christianity, a light to all of Europe where multitudes came from far away lands to learn the Word of God - the Bible.

Who was St. Patrick?  

(see also The Legacy of the True Historical Patrick)

Patrick (A.D. 389 - 465) was the son of a church minister and his grandfather also was a pastor. He was born in Scotland near a village called Bannavem Tabernia, which is now called Dumbarton.

When he was sixteen years old, he was carried away from Scotland to Ulster by a band of marauding Picts (or Celts). For six years as a slave, he was forced to shepherd sheep on hillsides. It was on these lonely hillsides that he remembered what his father had taught him from the Bible about Jesus, and finally turned to God. As a slave, defeated and empty, he repented of his sinful life and called upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save him from his sins. In his Confession he wrote,

“At 16 ... in a strange land the Lord opened my unbelieving eyes and I was converted.”

  It was in Ireland Patrick surrendered to Jesus and was saved from his deserving punishment of hell, and received eternal life all because of Christ whom he now dearly loved.

After escaping from Ireland, and arriving back home in Scotland, the love Patrick had for Christ burdened his heart to return to his enemies to tell them with such zeal that they must be saved also.

Patrick's only reason for coming back to Ireland was to preach the Gospel to its lost people.

"I testify in truth and in joy of heart before God and His holy angels that I never had any reason except the Gospel and its promises why I should ever return to the people from whom once before I barely escaped."

Patrick laboured in Ireland for about fifty three years turning thousands from their empty religion, which was predominantly druidism, to Christ. He speaks of baptising thousands of adult converts and is credited for starting hundreds of local churches where the Bible was preached and believed.

So, What’s This About Sin?

Why did Patrick call himself “a sinner” instead of a saint? Why was Ireland considered “lost”?

In both his letters Patrick begins with the words,

"I am Patrick, a sinner, most unlearned…"

With a humble heart, he knew the Lord Jesus had only come to save sinners. He, like the apostle Paul realised it was for them, as sinners, that Christ died. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” 1 Timothy 1:15. Any other self-assessment was a slap in the face of God.

Over, and over again, the Scriptures emphasise,

This is the good news of Salvation for us sinners, and is obtained only by surrender to Jesus.

Although Patrick came from a Christian family, he was not a Christian until the day, on a hillside, that he repented of his sinfulness, and cried out for mercy from the Saviour, as he says in his letter;

"And there the Lord opened the sense of my unbelief that I might at last remember my sins and be converted with all my heart to the Lord my God."

Because Patrick realised he was a sinner, and knew full well the punishment on sin, which is eternal hell fire, He sought complete forgiveness from Christ who simply said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28.

Like Patrick, we are all sinners before a holy and righteous God, and we must reject of our sinful lives, and by faith, call upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save us.

God put a punishment on sin, which is death and then hell. But Jesus paid the full price by taking the punishment for our sin on the cross 2,000 years ago. Now as a lost sinner, if you will repent with all your heart and cry out to Him to save you, He will.

Patrick knew about salvation (being born again) and was without a doubt, heaven-bound:

“…on that day without doubt we shall rise in the brightness of the sun, that is, in the glory of Christ Jesus our Redeemer, as sons of the living God ...”

Wouldn’t you like to be able to say the same?!

Here's the Bottom Line

What would Patrick say if he were here today? Just the same as he spoke 1,500 years ago - as a sinner, you will face the wrath of your Creator unless you trust the only Person that took your place on the cross, Jesus, the Son of God! You can’t pay for sins yourself - Christ had to die for you!

1. You must Repent. That means hate your sins - all of them, and agree with God you deserve hell. “God … commandeth all men every where to repent” Acts 17:30. Hate not only your sins, but also your goodness, and good works, because you can never be good enough to earn God’s perfect GIFT of forgiveness. It is free!

2. You must Believe Jesus Christ is all you need to be saved from hell. Jesus said, “I am the way… no man cometh unto the father, but by me” John 14:6. You can’t get to God through your church, your priest, or good works.

3. You must freely Accept the gift of salvation - eternal life comes only from Jesus Himself. “The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 6:23. Jesus died to give you the forgiveness of your sins. Talk to Him in prayer right now, and accept the forgiveness that He offers you for ALL your sins. “The blood of Jesus Christ God's Son cleanseth us from all sin” 1 John 1:7. Jesus alone is the only way to heaven! Not even Patrick can help you!

Cry out to God right now. Ask Him to have mercy on you, and save your soul. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13. It is that simple! Don't be so proud you would miss this opportunity. Hell is full of good people who were too proud to do what needed to be done, right away!  

Additional information about Patrick is found by clicking here.