"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
1 Timothy 2:3-4
The "this" referred to here is the exhortation to pray for all men. I really like that idea, and even more the idea here in the last verse that God wants *all* people saved. I think we often read the scriptures or go through our lives interacting with different groups, even our own, and get the idea that God is only for the "chosen" few... that religion is somehow a private club, and we are better than everyone else because we have the truth... the golden ticket that is going to let us into heaven while everyone else suffers. Interestingly, there was a group in the Book of Mormon that thought something similar: the Zoramites. "Thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell" was part of the scary prayer they prayed upon the Rameumptom (Alma 31:13-21).
We are part of God's chosen people if we *follow* his teachings, not because he is playing favorites. He wants everyone to be saved and come back to him, because we are his children, and he cares about us all. That's why people who have God in their lives are asked to share the gospel. It's like lifeboats. If we are saved, we need to turn around and save others... all we can. And, unlike the Titanic, there are enough lifeboats for everyone. We just have to keep helping people who are drowning and looking for safety. ... And of course not capsize our own ship. :)
Today, let's pray for everyone. Even the ones we don't really like. We all need help in our lives. Let's remember that we are all God's children, and he desires us all to return to him safely. Let's make sure that we are safe, and then let's go out and help God save others as well, in whatever way or measure that they are willing to accept God and his teachings in their lives. It doesn't have to be high pressure or scary, or even more than regular conversation or kindness. God will help us find people that are drowning, and help us know what to say and do to help them. Let's pray for his help, and that we can help him through serving and assisting others.
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
1 Timothy 2:3-4
The "this" referred to here is the exhortation to pray for all men. I really like that idea, and even more the idea here in the last verse that God wants *all* people saved. I think we often read the scriptures or go through our lives interacting with different groups, even our own, and get the idea that God is only for the "chosen" few... that religion is somehow a private club, and we are better than everyone else because we have the truth... the golden ticket that is going to let us into heaven while everyone else suffers. Interestingly, there was a group in the Book of Mormon that thought something similar: the Zoramites. "Thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell" was part of the scary prayer they prayed upon the Rameumptom (Alma 31:13-21).
Today, let's pray for everyone. Even the ones we don't really like. We all need help in our lives. Let's remember that we are all God's children, and he desires us all to return to him safely. Let's make sure that we are safe, and then let's go out and help God save others as well, in whatever way or measure that they are willing to accept God and his teachings in their lives. It doesn't have to be high pressure or scary, or even more than regular conversation or kindness. God will help us find people that are drowning, and help us know what to say and do to help them. Let's pray for his help, and that we can help him through serving and assisting others.
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