Today we are reading from 1 Timothy 2: 1-7:

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For
there is one God;
    there is also one mediator between God and humankind,
Christ Jesus, himself human,
6     who gave himself a ransom for all
—this was attested at the right time. 7 For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

1 Timothy has some of my favorite verses within it. Verses that have done a lot to shape what I believe and how I do ministry.  Yesterday we saw from Paul the power of sin, he was the chief of all sinners.  He needed repentance more than anyone else in the world. 

Today, we see God’s desire.  What does God want?  All to be saved, 1 Timothy 2:4. God desires for everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of His truth. God wants everyone to know Him. Everyone. 

Jesus died for all the world (John 3:16). God desires all persons to come to saving knowledge of who He is.  God desires for everyone to know Him, to love Him, to walk with Him to, in short, be in a real, life-changing, relationship with Him. 

Scripture is clear, that’s His desire. 

Do we feel that same way?  Do we love the unlovable? The unworthy?  Those far away?  Those who have rebelled? Those who have pushed away?  

Goddess, that is hard. That is a challenge. That is not easy.  But that is God’s desire. And God’s desire should be our desire. God’s loving action should be the loving action that we desire and seek after. 

So, as God loves the world and those far from Him, for He desires them to be saved, let’s do the same. Let’s do what we can do to be a means of grace to God’s world, to help bring as many as possible into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.  

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