As bad as St Paul?

I was reading the following verse from the Bible. It is St Paul writing to his colleague Timothy:

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NIV)

Sometimes people don't feel 'good' enough to be a Christian. If you know someone like that, remind them of this verse! St Paul says he was the worst of sinners. He knows that before he was dramatically converted on the Damascus road, he persecuted the Christians, having them thrown into prison and approving of their deaths.

But Jesus had other ideas, and St Paul became one of the great Christian thinkers and missionaries. If God can do that with him, he can certainly work in other people's lives! As St Paul said of himself, he is an example of God's "unlimited patience", and illustrates that faith is open to all who will accept Christ as the one who forgives and transforms lives.