INCONVENIENT TRUTHS
1 Timothy 2:1-5 NKJV
2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 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. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
There are two truths covered in these five verses that don't always sit well. Nevertheless, they are still true and still important.
The first truth is regarding the subject of prayer. Paul instructs Timothy, who is the pastor of the church in Ephesus, on who and what to pray for. Prayers should be made for all people. Asking for something in prayer is supplication. Prayers and intercessions involve going to God on behalf of someone else. And giving of thanks is a part of prayer. Prayer is more than simply making requests, and thenkfully we have the help of the Holy Spirit who aids us so we can be effective.
When it comes to who to pray for, this is where things get touchy. Prayers are for kings and all who are in authority. Paul never mentioned the behavior of the kings, nor did he put any other stipulations on the ones to be prayed for: it is kings and all in authority. Prayers are to be for these authority figures not because they are agreeable or kind or decent but so that life can be peaceable and godly. Authorities need prayer because life is much better without trauma and drama.
And prayer for these authorities, the good, the bad, and the evil, is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. I don't think we have focused enough on this verse three. Praying for authorities is something that is good to God. He accepts this kind of prayer because God desires for all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. There is a connection between praying for those in authority and people coming to salvation. And God desires salvation for all.
The next truth is one that makes Christianity very exclusive. There is an oft-quoted saying that all paths lead to God. And people take this to mean the Muslim path, the Buddhist path, or the Universalist path. The idea being put forth is that there are many paths to God, and we each should choose what path works for us. But verse five says there is one God. And there is one mediator, or go-between that connects God and man, the man Christ Jesus. Jesus said the same thing when He was on earth when He declared that no one came to the Father but by Him. (John 14:6)
APPLICATION
Praying for those in authority is inconvenient because there can be people in authority that we either don't like, don't agree with, or both. In leading prayer groups, Joy and I have noticed that people are much more interested in praying for the President of the United States if he was the guy they voted for. But we have to keep the big picture in mind. We pray for whoever is President, not because we like or dislike him, but because God instructs us to. And we pray because we want the best environment to live in and reach others for Christ. And we pray because it's good and pleasing to God. Praying for those in authority is bigger than politics.
One God, one way, is inconvenient for those who have people they love and care about who embrace religions other than Christianity. But we can't change the Bible to fit those we care about. Like our Heavenly Father, we want all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, and Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one else can connect us to God, only Jesus.
These truths may be inconvenient, but knowing the truth is what makes us free.
PRAYER
Lord, I ask You to work in the life of our President so that we may live peaceable, godly lives and people may be reached