Thursday, January 16, 2014
1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
THE SAVIOR OF THE NATIONS ... CAME AND WAS BORN THAT ALL MIGHT BELIEVE
How many angels could stand on the head of a pin? It's a classic example of a useless question, one whose answer would be of no practical value even if it could be known.
If God wants everyone to believe in Jesus, why doesn't everyone believe? It's another classic question, one it seems that every generation asks in one way or another. There is nothing wrong with the question, so long as we don't go beyond what Scripture says to answer it.
There should be no doubt that God desires that every human being believe in His Son and be saved from sin and sin's consequences because this and other passages precisely express God's desire. Those who suggest that God doesn't want some to be saved dismiss or ignore this Scripture. The problem isn't that the Father doesn't want them; it's rather that they reject His Only Son. (No, in case you are wondering, that doesn't mean that those who do believe can take the credit. Faith is a gift of God.)
Those who reject Christ have no one to blame but themselves. The reasons why individual human beings deny Him are many and varied. There are some who, no doubt, believe themselves good enough to stand before God on their own merit. There are others who have been misled by Satan, the ruler of this world.
But instead of asking "why," let's be about the Father's business. Instead of wondering about it, let's look for opportunities to present what the word of God says about the Christ. Instead of shrugging our shoulders, let's look to proclaim Christ and let the Spirit do His work.
Sing to the Lord a glorious song,
Sing to His name, His love forthtell;
Sing on, heaven's host, His praise prolong;
Sing, ye who now on earth do dwell:
Worthy the Lamb for sinners slain;
From angels praise and thanks from men;
Worthy the Lamb, enthroned to reign,
Glory and power! Amen, Amen.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 132:5)
