“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6a)
In his letter to Timothy, Paul reestablishes the belief that there is only one God, echoing the sentiments of what is called the Shema (pronounced with a short ‘e’ and a short ‘a’ and emphasis on the second syllable). The Shema is found in Deuteronomy 6:4 (“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”). The Hebrews established the ‘Shema Yisrael’ (which are the first two words of that portion of the Torah or Mosaic Law) to counteract the polytheistic claims of the pagan religions that were in existence. Paul adds to this formula the fact that Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and man. It doesn’t say He is one of many, but that there is ONE God and ONE mediator. If there were many ways to get to heaven, why would Jesus have had to die? We simply could have taken a different path to get to the same destination as the Hindus believe. So then, if that were the case; what about sin? There was a price that needed to be paid in the Old Testament. Now the price is no longer required? Says who? The Bible says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Is this no longer true? God says it is. Jesus GAVE Himself up as a ransom for all people. We were dead in our sins and we didn’t even know it. Even before we knew Him He died for us. Christ paid our sin debt. Without that payment being made we would have died in our sinful state. Jesus Christ willingly suffered a brutal and inhumane death so that we might live. Do you understand the magnitude of that one lone act in history? The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the linchpin of our faith. Without that our belief system crumbles to dust.
In verse 4, Paul reiterates the fact found elsewhere in scripture, that God desires all would be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. What is truth? According to Paul and every other spokesman chosen by God, the one truth in this world of falseness is that there is one and only one Jehovah God and He requires that the sins of man be paid for through a blood sacrifice. The actions of Adam and Eve brought separation between man and His God. It was not intended to be that way; however, free will allowed it. The blood of Christ alone can wash away our sins. As we draw close to the glorious day of His resurrection, better known to the world as Easter, remember and never forget the price that has been paid for your freedom.
WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!
