1st Timothy 2:5 ONE GOD. One God: revealing Himself with evidence unmistakable. I see the proofs – the greens the browns, the blues. As great backdrops to the changing colors of the seasons – The gradual color changes of the early spring; changing into brilliant sprays of color – and so I see as the changes come through summer, fall and winter – evidence of One who makes and enjoys what He created – and looks on all of it with pleasure and says, “Very good!” ------------------ and so do I.
One God: making sounds from quiet murmurings of brooks and breezes, to the overwhelming sounds of winds, rain, and ocean storms. Individual sounds of living creatures, from the chirp of a solitary bird to the shivering roars of African lions or the piercing bugle of an elk. Sounds of exuberant playing children, deepening voices of youths – sounds in the sky as thunder voices the promise of a living God. Proofs are in place as we hear the sounds of new life, and approaching death has its sounds of faith. We listen – Jesus said, “Finished!” -------------------------- and I rejoice.
One God: who holds the keys of life and death, and uses them – bringing life and hope and meaning to our existence that otherwise would seem vain. In and by His power and supreme authority He maintains the order of planets and ages – bringing peace to earth-bound men who search for reasons with their heart. And they find, when they come to the place where the God-man made peace – peace at the highest possible price, “The blood of His cross.” The life-key is turned – opening eyes once darkened to see light in the soul that springs forth – the distance that separated sin-bound men is bridged. New life – a new creation begins – “Accepted in the Beloved!” ------------------and I am at peace.
“O Holy God, I have no words to express what comes to my mind and heart as I sit here in this tent door watching and enjoying the evidence that abounds right here in front of me. I watch others going by with heads down, trying to stop the forces of on-coming age – and they won’t stop to look and see the evidence Thou hast put on display to be a testimony to them of Thy caring heart. I pray for them now, Father God; bring them to hear Thy voice in whatever way possible. Amen.”
1Timothy 2:5. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” THE MAN CHRIST JESUS. Every time you stop to pray, In the morning, noon or at the end of the day – There is One who knows fully what you mean and say – The all-knowing “Man Christ Jesus.”
The words you use – even the way you speak, Indicates your sincerity, and if you are truly meek And lowly in heart – like Him who hears – God’s unique
Son – the “Man Christ Jesus.”
When the need is real, the load hard to bear, You have full, complete access to talk to God in prayer. He hears your calling heart – the One who is always near – The listening “Man Christ Jesus.”
No problem is too great for you to articulate – No matter is too small for you to supplicate His throne, and then to patiently wait – For the interceding “Man Christ Jesus.”
He reaches with one hand to the throne of God; Then with the other to you with the heavy load – And by the virtue and authority of His own shed blood – He mediates – the “Man Christ Jesus.”
Prayer is not in vain; it is the believer’s breath – From the day we’re new-born to the day of our death; We can simply pray – He knows the need’s height and depth – For He is God, and the “Man Christ Jesus.”
“This morning, Father, in this quiet place where no one is nearby to interrupt, I call upon Thee in intercession for these isolated saints. There is seldom anyone who comes to encourage them to continue on in assembly life. They have endured a lot of opposition in the past. There have been no new additions to the assembly for a long time. Yet they do love Thee and the “place of the name.” Give them special courage and grace to overcome any difficulties they might have up ahead. There is the potential for disunity not based on doctrine, but because of differences in the home life that can affect the unity of the assembly. Please help them rise above this. Please remember my brother, who is dying. It would be wonderful if you would take him home today. And please give comfort to the mother and father of the young man who died yesterday. I hardly know what I could say that would really help them. But You are able to comfort them today. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The basis for our public prayer is that there is "One God, and One Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." One God is contrasted with humanity and the myriads of humans who have their own opinions about how to reach God - "if there is a God." Some men believe God will take everyone to heaven because He is merciful, so they don't bother to seek Him. Others think there are many ways to God, and so their way will work as well as any others. Some believe that if they sincerely believe they are right, they have nothing to worry about. Others don't care one way or another. The basis of our prayers in public is that God’s plan of salvation is offered through Christ Jesus alone. His death is our ransom.
The qualifications of the Lord Jesus to be our Mediator are that He bears both God’s image and man’s likeness [Phil.2:6-8; Heb.2:14-17]. He is both sinless and sin-bearer [Isa.53:6-10; Eph.2:13-18] who endured God’s wrath and brings God’s righteousness [Rom.5:6-19] to us and imputes it to us. He is both the sacrifice and priest [Heb.7:27; Heb.10:5-22]. He performs the office of Mediator by taking our nature [1Jn. 1:1-3], dying as our substitute [1Pe. 3:18] and reconciling us to God [Eph. 2:16]. No one is outside of God's mercy or beyond the reach of salvation while they are alive, but they must know and accept the fact that there is only one way to God, no matter what people may say. One God testifies to His authority and power, and He has provided one Mediator. Job knew he needed and wanted an umpire or mediator in Job 9:33. The fact that there is only one God contrasts deity with humanity. We need only one Mediator to bring salvation, which contrasts with the false ideas of men and the religious beliefs they hold. Christ Jesus alone qualifies to be the One Mediator. He alone could meet the demands of the law. He who alone is the ransom for all gave Himself. The testimony of the Gospel and declaring the fact of the One Mediator is the work of the Gospel herald.