Monthly Archives: October 2010

God’s Good Intentions- I Timothy 2:1-6

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God wants more than universal salvation–He wants everyone to accept the free gift of salvation. This passage teaches us the free and universal offer of the gospel is to all human beings. This offer is a bona fide expression of God’s good intentions toward all human beings. First, the Apostle Paul urges that prayer and supplication be made for all people so that Christians may lead a peaceful and godly life (vs. 1-2). Then Paul declares that God desires for all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (vs. 4). Finally, Paul proclaims that Christ gave Himself as a ransom for all people (vs. 6). God has good intentions toward all people, but some people do not receive God’s salvation because they do not accept the free gift of salvation that has been offered by God. While God’s salvation is intended for all people, some people accept the free gift of salvation and some people reject God’s good intentions.

The Biggest Sinner – 1 Timothy 1:15

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“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15, ESV).

There was a popular television show called The Biggest Loser in which contestants compete to see who can lose the most weight in a certain period of time.

The Apostle Paul said that he could not imagine anyone being a bigger sinner than himself, possibly because of his previous persecution of the church.

Because Paul was a big sinner, when God saved him all of Paul’s sin was forgiven, which allowed him to serve as an example of the extent of God’s grace: “But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost [sinner], Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life” (vs. 16).

The Holy Spirit’s powerful conviction of sin cause most people who have received the saving grace of God to be predisposed to think of themselves as the biggest sinner.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23-24, ESV)

The Grace That Saves Us Teaches Us – Titus 2:12-13

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“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Our blessed hope is Christ’s second coming. So the grace of God by which we are saved also teaches us to live godly lives while we wait upon the second coming of Christ–saving grace becomes teaching grace. The grace of God that saves us also instructs us to live in a new way that prepares us for eternity. This change in lifestyle is rooted in our eager expectaton of the return of Christ. We should discard our sinful ways and live in a godly way in the present anticipating our eternal life with God in the future.

Proving the Gospel by Example – Titus 2:7-8

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“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” The Apostle Paul encourages Titus to become a living testimony of the gospel by being a model or example in word and deed of the gospel he teaches. Living out the gospel in one’s daily life through ethical behavior–honesty, respect, and wholesome speech–keeps Christians from providing any legitimate grounds for the gospel to be criticized and actually influences others to believe the gospel. By becoming a living testimony,you prove the gospel to those who don’t believe it and even to those who oppose it.

Celestial Security – 2 Kings 6:16

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“Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” The army of Syria came by night and surrounded the city of Dotham to capture Elisha. When Elisha’s servant awoke and saw the army of Syria surrounding the city, he was afraid. Elisha, however, knew that the Lord had sent an army of angels to protect him, and apparently he could see them but his servant could not. So Elisha prayed that the Lord would open the eyes of the servant. When the eyes of Elisha’s servant were opened, he could see a vast angelic army all around Elisha to protect him from the Syrian army. Although the Syrian troops surrounded (vs. 15) the city where Elisha was, Elisha himself is protected all around (vs. 17) by the army of the Lord. Christians have this same celestial security protecting them today. When we are surrounded by the troubles of this world, God Who is in us, is also all around us: “For he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4).

A Clear and Present Expectation – Hebrews 9:26

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“But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Christ has appeared at the end of the ages to sacrifice Himself once, for all, to take away the sins of many people. Christ’s sacrifice of Himself is sufficient for all His followers and for all time. The end of the ages has been inaugurated by Christ’s sacrificial death, even though it still awaits its consummation at Christ’s second return. The Hebrews writer says that to fulfill this salvation Jesus will appear a second time to gather those who are waiting for Him (vs. 28). The final judgment will take place when Christ comes again. If you are a follower of Jesus, then you should persevere expectantly. In other words, you should have a clear and present expectation of His future return because He saves all who are eagerly anticipating His return.

God’s Good Planning – Jeremiah 29:11

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“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah sent a letter to the exiles in Babylon to reassure them that God has not abandoned them or forgotten his purpose for them. Jeremiah told them that after 70 years God will bring the exiles back to the land of Israel. The Hebrew word for “welfare” is shalom , which covers all aspects of peace and plenty. So God plans good–shalom–for His people. God tells the exiles through Jeremiah that if they will pray and seek Him, then He will hear them and grant them shalom. God’s plans for you are good plans that give you hope for the future! So pray and seek Him to find His shalom for you!

Speaking to God with Confidence – Hebrews 4:16

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“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” The Hebrews writer encourages the Hebrew Christians to “draw near” to God’s throne because they have the privilege of a personal relationship with God. Christians can come before God confidently and without fear that they will incur God’s wrath because they have a High Priest, Jesus, Who identifies with His people because of his human experience and the sufferings he endured. Therefore, take your needs to God in prayer and speak plainly and honestly but with respect and reverence, knowing that Jesus was tempted in every area of human life just like you, yet He remained sinless, thus qualifying Him to intercede before God’s throne for you.