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Lessons in Prayer - 1 Timothy 2:1-8 - Jesus' Sacrifice

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time." - 1 Timothy 2:1-8

V5 restates the truth that Christians know that there is only one way to receive salvation, by placing your faith and trust in God.  Jesus is our mediator, the one who intervenes as John MacArthur said, between God and us sinners.  This verse reminds us of the great need for the lost to come to know the Lord, and leads us to the great sacrifice Jesus made so we all could do so.

Jesus voluntarily gave himself up as ransom to pay for our sins.  Yes, he is God's son, and that was God's will.  But how many of us have disobeyed our parents or not done what they wanted us to at times?  Jesus willingly gave up his life, and in a brutal and agonizing way, so that we would not have to bear the debt of sin in our lives.  Now if that's not something to be thankful for I don't know what is.

And look who Jesus died for, ALL.  When he shed his blood on the cross, it was for every soul to ever walk this earth.  He died for everyone regardless of age, race, ethnicity, occupation, social status, sex, or any other factor.  Are we as a church living out that truth in our ministry?  Do we witness and seek all lost?  Or do we have a tendency to focus on those who are most like us already, or generous givers, or hard workers?  Is their lost soul more valuable to the Lord than that of the struggling person just outside the walls of the church?  Jesus died for all, we should be witnessing to and reaching for all.

Jesus' death is sufficient to cover all sins that have ever been committed and will be committed.  He paid a bill that had not even been totaled up yet, let that sink in.  Jesus didn't say at his death, "Okay disciples you are good to go since I paid for your sins.  And everyone else, you get 100 sins apiece but don't go over that limit."  I love the song by Jeremy Camp that says, "Your grace covers all I do."  What a message of hope in knowing that Jesus' death and resurrection is sufficient to cover our sins, not matter how awful we think they are.  That's the message of love and forgiveness we need to tell and SHOW the world.   

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving just me enough to send your son to die on the cross to cover my sins.  I thank you for your grace and mercy and seek forgiveness for my sins.  Jesus, thank you for willingly dying for a mere sinner like me.  Your story is the greatest of overcoming in the history of the world.  Conquering sin and death is a story that fills all believers with a hope and assurance that we can always turn to you.  I pray that I can live a life honoring to you, and that others who don't know your story will come to know it and accept your gift of salvation.  Amen.

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