Articles
Prayer and Salvation for ALL
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence …. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time… (I Tim. 2:1-7, NKJV)
Paul wants Timothy to pray. He told him to pray so that Christians may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all godliness and dignity. The reason for offering prayer and for the declaration of all men being saved is founded in the fact that there is one God. There is one God, holy, pure, perfect. How can we as sinners relate to Him? Through a mediator. The only Mediator between God and humankind is Jesus Christ. There is but one mediator. The emphasis is on Jesus: “one Mediator for God and man, a Man Christ Jesus. Mediator here denotes one who is chosen by God to make atonement for the sins of the people, is authorized to intercede with God in behalf of sinners, and empowered to convey all His blessings to them. Seeing all this let us confidently proceed to pray for all men, including kings and others in authority, whose management is so important for themselves and us.
Christ died for all … salvation is for all … pray for all. Christ is the one payment for man’s soul. In Gethsemane Jesus gave Himself into the hands of the enemies, to die as He foretold. His sacrifice was a voluntary act; He laid down his life; no man could take it from Him (John 10:18); and He would take it again. God accepted His offering as a sweet smelling sacrifice.
Paul’s message of mediation is more than a fact to be understood (vs. 7). It is a message that must be communicated. Paul’s ministry was driven by his passion to share that message. Let us have that same passion to spread the gospel today.
