God’s Desire

1 Timothy 2:1-6

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

What do you suppose might happen if Christians actually took God’s word seriously and actually lived it daily? My guess is our world would be far different than it is right now. Paul, writing to Timothy, encourages him to intercede, plead for, pray for, and give thanks for all people including the political and societal leaders. The purpose under-girding this urging of Paul is to glorify God as those whom Timothy, and presumably his church, pray for daily, as the people in the community come to believe in Jesus unto salvation.

Herein lies the problem for all of us fallen sinful people: We don’t want to pray for those we do not like or care for; we do not want to pray for the leaders of governments, especially for those we disagree with or did not vote for or those who we deem to be enemies of our nation. Yet, Paul writes the reason we pray for the leaders of all types is that we may lead a quiet, tranquil life, in all godliness, and with dignity.

Paul goes further and asserts our prayers will be used by God to bring people to the knowledge of His Son, Jesus, so those whom we prayed for may receive God’s gift of grace and enjoy the blessings of salvation. Paul is not writing anything new. Jesus declares those who follow Him are the salt of the earth and the light of the world and should “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

It is God’s desire, not God’s will, that all people will come to the knowledge of the truth which is Jesus is the only way of salvation. Our message to the world, in word and deed, must always point other people, even those we do not like or those we disagree with, to God through Jesus. Remember, Jesus commands we are to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us for our faith.

This is all very hard to do. What Scripture commands is counter-intuitive to the ways of the fallen human condition. But do it we must for it is a command of God.

Please Pray This Week . . .

An amazing outreach to our community through Vacation Bible School, July 21-25
For safe Youth summer camp at the end of July