This is a pretty critical thing to know about Christianity, and yet it can easily get lost. There is one God and one way to God. It’s not enough to be good. It’s not enough to do good. It can be comforting to imagine that if I have a friend who is a very good person, God will somehow make an exception for her, even though she said she doesn’t believe God exists or that He is one among many possible gods, or she just never cared to decide what she believed… But that is just wishful thinking. Unless my friend claims Jesus as her Savior, she will die one day, and that will be the end of her. So, if I really care about my friend, what should I do? Pray for her! A lot! And that’s exactly how Paul starts the chapter today’s verse is found in. He says: “…I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone…” (vs. 1) because “it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (vs. 3-4) If I care about my unbelieving friends I should pray for them urgently and often, and be available to tell them about the one God I know and love when He moves in their hearts.
Dear God,
Thank you for the people who taught me about you and prayed for me. There are many good people in my life who do not know you yet. Remind me to pray for them and teach me how. Bring them to mind. And please work in their hearts so they are ready to hear about you. Give me the words to say and the courage to speak them when you tell me the time is right. Please make it obvious!
CamDevo 