Salvation for Sinners

GOLDEN TEXT: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” —I Timothy 1:15

I TIMOTHY 1:12-17; 2:1-7

THE Apostle Paul was ever grateful for the love and mercy of God which had been extended to him through Christ Jesus. He had always been a sincere servant of God, but prior to his miraculous conversion on the Damascus road he had been a bitter persecutor of the Lord’s people. And while he had done this in ignorance, verily thinking he was doing God a service, he looked back upon this phase of his life with humiliation. In our lesson he refers to himself as the chief of sinners.

The Golden Text states that Jesus came into the world to save sinners. This is in agreement with what Jesus said to Nicodemus: “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already.” (John 3:17,18) All mankind is condemned to death through the transgression of our first parents. The only way to be released from that condemnation is through belief in Christ, and obedience to the will of God as expressed through Christ.

Many have erroneously limited the grace of God through Christ in their insistence that the opportunity to believe is given only during the present short span of life. It is true that some do have their opportunity in this life; namely, those who are enlightened sufficiently to understand the issues involved, and the Lord is the one who decides who these are. The light came into the world with the first advent of Christ, but comparatively few have as yet been reached by it.

In the second section of our lesson we find Paul saying that it is God’s will that all shall be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. This is not eternal salvation. Eternal salvation can be obtained only after receiving a knowledge of the truth as it is expressed through Christ Jesus. But Paul refers to being “saved,” and then receiving a knowledge of the truth. The reference is simply to being saved from the sleep of death, and applies to all who have died in ignorance of the only name given under heaven or among men whereby we must be saved.

Paul explains that the truth of which all will be given a knowledge is that “there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all.” This is the great truth which will be testified to the world of mankind after they are awakened from the sleep of death.

Paul speaks of the era in which knowledge will reach the world as God’s “due time.” God has a due time for every feature of his plan. Christ came to die for mankind in due time. His second advent and presence are in God’s due time, and it is during the thousand years of his second presence, and through the agencies of his kingdom, that the great truth of his ransom will be made known to the whole world. We are assured that then the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea, that it will then no longer be necessary for anyone to say to his neighbor, Know the Lord, for all shall know him from the “least of them unto the greatest of them.”—Isa. 11:9; Jer. 31:31-34

Paul exhorts that we should pray for all men, “for kings, and for all that are in authority.” Our prayers for all men, and for rulers, is not that God will necessarily bless and guide them in their undertakings. Nor should we pray for their salvation, except, of course, as we pray for God’s will to be done in earth as it is in heaven. A general prayer of this sort evinces our interest in the people for whom Christ died. Surely God loves these, and we should be grateful for our part in the plan which God is working out for their ultimate salvation and blessing!

Paul gives the principal motive for the prayers he suggests on behalf of all men, and kings and rulers. He says: “That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” This was particularly appropriate in the days of the Early Church, when the followers of the Master were subjected to the whims of the rulers more than they are today. The Lord’s people are encouraged to face persecution when necessary, but the Lord knows that they need a measure of peace and tranquility, that they may properly grow as new creatures in Christ Jesus.

QUESTIONS

What was the main purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world at his first advent?

Is believing in Christ limited to the present life?

When will the truth be made known to all?

Why should Christians pray for kings and rulers?

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