Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 6th Week of Easter: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 78:1 to 39; Evening, Psalm 78:40 to 72;
Leviticus 26:1-20; 1st Timothy 2:1 to 6; Matthew 13:18 to 23:
“This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1Timothy 2:3-4)
I know that I am not perfect. I have many flaws and imperfections. I am so thankful that we have a loving and merciful God and Savior in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul speaks of everyone being saved, and everyone coming to the knowledge of truth. I think the key word here is “everyone.”
The word needs to get out to “everyone” that God desires all people to be saved. Contrary to our normal fear of scarcity, heaven does not run out of room. Perhaps the biggest problem we might have is sharing total freedom and glory with our neighbors, all neighbors. The only thing hindering us from that glory is our personal story. However, once we understand ourselves, knowledge and truth will assure our place in God’s divine plan.
The Word needs to get out that God desires everyone to come to the knowledge of truth. Like most of us I was raised with certain prejudices and biases that caused me to not see the inclusive love of God. As a Christian, and with some good Christian education, I have come to, and am still coming to, the understanding that God, in Christ Jesus, came among us to both know about us and experience what it means to be us first hand.
Being saved and coming to the knowledge of truth is the message Our Lord Jesus gave to Paul for Timothy and for us. This message is for all of us who hear. But I think more especially for Christians as we have that calling to model, as our Lord Jesus did, love for all people regardless of who they are or what they think they believe or don’t believe. There is more than enough room and comfort for all in heaven. Therefore we should be holding dear to us in prayer everyone from the president to the homeless; people of other countries (friend or foe); and people we have been taught not to trust. All are invited by God to be with God. We Christians are God’s helpers for all humanity.
While many have died in the Ukraine – Russian war, on both sides, I believe that there are innocent ones among them, particularly on the Russian side, who knew not what they were doing but believe in God. I believe those too will be brought to the court of God where they will be judged by our merciful God. None of us are perfect. Our calling remains to be ever diligent in prayer for Ukraine.
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 