The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Timothy 2:3-6a,
"This [Paul's request for prayer] is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people."
Paul tells Timothy to pray for all - in behalf of all: petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving. He singles out those in authority to pray for and provides the reason "that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." However, the request to pray for all has its grounds in that it is God's will that all people be saved and that Jesus Christ gave himself as a ransom for all people, becoming a mediator for all mankind.
This statement with Paul's request is breathtaking in its scope. All people! God wants us all! Not just some - but all. And, Jesus Christ gave himself for all! At the same time he has left it in our hands to make requests, to petition him on the behalf of others that they "be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." God does not make the choice of faith for us - we must do that ourselves, but God has gone a long way to help us arrive there and prayer helps.
While there may be those who have abandoned the gospel of faith for a notion of salvation by appointment for a few, I am reminded of all God has done for all mankind to facilitate the salvation he desires for each of us. Since that salvation will only come by a decision each one of us might make to embrace him in faith, he has done much to help us get there. It is my understanding that Paul asked Timothy, and all of us by extension, to pray for others that the Lord might do even more to draw us to him.
As I think of all God has already done for us all, some things come to mind:
God has given each of us life (of course!).
"This [Paul's request for prayer] is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people."
Paul tells Timothy to pray for all - in behalf of all: petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving. He singles out those in authority to pray for and provides the reason "that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." However, the request to pray for all has its grounds in that it is God's will that all people be saved and that Jesus Christ gave himself as a ransom for all people, becoming a mediator for all mankind.
This statement with Paul's request is breathtaking in its scope. All people! God wants us all! Not just some - but all. And, Jesus Christ gave himself for all! At the same time he has left it in our hands to make requests, to petition him on the behalf of others that they "be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." God does not make the choice of faith for us - we must do that ourselves, but God has gone a long way to help us arrive there and prayer helps.
While there may be those who have abandoned the gospel of faith for a notion of salvation by appointment for a few, I am reminded of all God has done for all mankind to facilitate the salvation he desires for each of us. Since that salvation will only come by a decision each one of us might make to embrace him in faith, he has done much to help us get there. It is my understanding that Paul asked Timothy, and all of us by extension, to pray for others that the Lord might do even more to draw us to him.
As I think of all God has already done for us all, some things come to mind:
God has given each of us life (of course!).
God sent his Son as a ransom - to pay for the penalty we deserve for our sins.
God has given each of us the ability to think and reason, enabling us to consider the claims of the gospel.
God has given each of us a will that we can all exercise to choose him.
God has provided us the Scriptures that we may know of him, his agenda of salvation and the gospel itself.
God has sent the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness and justice.
God has provided us the knowledge of himself through his creation.
God has equipped and enabled others around us to share his message of salvation with us.
God has given each of us the ability to think and reason, enabling us to consider the claims of the gospel.
God has given each of us a will that we can all exercise to choose him.
God has provided us the Scriptures that we may know of him, his agenda of salvation and the gospel itself.
God has sent the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness and justice.
God has provided us the knowledge of himself through his creation.
God has equipped and enabled others around us to share his message of salvation with us.
Surely this is a list that can be added to. What might you add?
I recognize there are those who are unable to think and reason, as with the case of the mentally infirm, those who are aborted before born, the still-born, etc. For these, I am convinced, based on God's sense of justice and fairness, God has another way. For the normative, however, look at all God has provided, enabling us to make that choice of faith!
Other things come to mind as well. Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." John 6:44. Here, I believe, is where prayer cannot be valued highly enough. Another interesting passage that comes to mind, "Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" Romans 2:4. Also, "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:8-9.
Other things come to mind as well. Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." John 6:44. Here, I believe, is where prayer cannot be valued highly enough. Another interesting passage that comes to mind, "Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" Romans 2:4. Also, "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:8-9.
God invites us with arms open wide. He has done considerable things to facilitate the faith within us that he looks for. May we all find our way to that faith!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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