"The difficult we do right away; the impossible takes a little longer", goes an old saying I saw posted in a business years ago. First priorities are usually both urgent and difficult, but they are worthy of our best efforts.
"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" (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
At the top of Paul's list to young Timothy was all-inclusive prayer (that sounds like something in the "impossible" rather than the "difficult" category). A special focus of prayer is to be government leaders, and for a specific purpose: so that the family of God might quietly live so as to have the lifestyle impact that we are designed to have. In other words, we are to pray that the government stay off our backs so that we can focus on the "government" that we truly belong to.
Paul elaborates further: "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" (1 Timothy 2:3-6)
The "business" of our true authority and His government is salvation and truth. As has been much on my mind recently, His plan centers on His "truth revolution" - truth that changes everything. And nothing is more radical and life-changing than the truth in focus here: "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus". These words echo Jesus' words: "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3).
Paul punctuated these words about our Father's explicit desire for the salvation and knowledge of truth of all people with his opening words, "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men". the avenue to salvation and knowledge of truth is faithful, persistent prayer.
I've rigorously debated and dialoged with plenty of people over the years concerning the truth of God's nature and that of His Son, our Savior, Jesus. Often these discussions have resulted in little more than deadlock and dissent. But (a degree of wisdom comes with years!), I've lately seen how effective probing questions and gentle answers can be that our bathed in prayer. The One whose explicit desire is for salvation and truth is actively involved in leading the receptive and responsive to these ends; He needs little more than my humble prayers, sensitivity, and readiness to provide a soft answer with His word.
Prayer for government leaders to keep our lives free of entanglement so that we can be about the salvation and truth work of our Father is top of the list. Who, then, is on your prayer list for salvation and truth? may we each make this first priority our high priority this day.
Steve
"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" (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
At the top of Paul's list to young Timothy was all-inclusive prayer (that sounds like something in the "impossible" rather than the "difficult" category). A special focus of prayer is to be government leaders, and for a specific purpose: so that the family of God might quietly live so as to have the lifestyle impact that we are designed to have. In other words, we are to pray that the government stay off our backs so that we can focus on the "government" that we truly belong to.
Paul elaborates further: "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" (1 Timothy 2:3-6)
The "business" of our true authority and His government is salvation and truth. As has been much on my mind recently, His plan centers on His "truth revolution" - truth that changes everything. And nothing is more radical and life-changing than the truth in focus here: "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus". These words echo Jesus' words: "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3).
Paul punctuated these words about our Father's explicit desire for the salvation and knowledge of truth of all people with his opening words, "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men". the avenue to salvation and knowledge of truth is faithful, persistent prayer.
I've rigorously debated and dialoged with plenty of people over the years concerning the truth of God's nature and that of His Son, our Savior, Jesus. Often these discussions have resulted in little more than deadlock and dissent. But (a degree of wisdom comes with years!), I've lately seen how effective probing questions and gentle answers can be that our bathed in prayer. The One whose explicit desire is for salvation and truth is actively involved in leading the receptive and responsive to these ends; He needs little more than my humble prayers, sensitivity, and readiness to provide a soft answer with His word.
Prayer for government leaders to keep our lives free of entanglement so that we can be about the salvation and truth work of our Father is top of the list. Who, then, is on your prayer list for salvation and truth? may we each make this first priority our high priority this day.
Steve
posted by steve @ 8:34 AM
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