Thoughts From 1Timothy - Day 6

  For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

                                                                                          1 Timothy 2:5-11

        If you could summarize the Bible, these verses do it. There is a God and there is only one. Anything else is not God but a decoy put there by someone who hates God and doesn't want Him to be worshipped. 

       There is mankind who is at odds with God and needs someone to mediate for them and that mediator is Jesus who is man and God at the same time. He can both relate to us and bear our guilt because He is a man yet be in the presence of God the Father because He is God and holy. That's why Jesus is the only option available to mankind because no one else could bring us into the presence of the Father. He is uniquely qualified. We were kidnapped by sin and Jesus paid the ransom which was His blood and death on the cross.

          Why did this happen when it did? It was the proper time. There was a common language, there was a time of peace where the gospel could go into all nations, there were roads to take it to the nations, Israel was centrally located, and all prophecy had to be fulfilled which made it happen at this date.

        So what should be our response to this good news that our relationship with our Maker can be restored.

1. Fall into the arms of Jesus! Let Him bring you to the Father.

2. Be a herald. What's that? Announce the good news. Tell people by word or even put up signs like you see them doing in medieval movies. Heralds come and nail signs to things and blow trumpets and say "Hear ye, hear ye!"

3. Pray. the one who made decoys isn't going to just stand by and let people be told the truth. Recognize that you are entering into spiritual battles.

4. Put on a united front. Look past superficial differences and join with other believers in this endeavor to win souls. This is truly the thing that matters most.

5. Lift Holy hands - live a life of worship. Yes witnessing is extremely important but how can you be a true witness telling people that they need a relationship with God when you are neglecting yours?

6. Live a life consistent with the truth. What's the truth? We are aliens here. We are only here for a short time. If our eyes are focused on the things of this world and we are living like everyone else, we haven't let the truth of the gospel change us. Live as ambassadors of another kingdom.